Blood donors are being asked to help settle a friendly wager on whether more people鈥檚 hearts are police department “true blue,” or believe in pumping blood that鈥檚 “fire engine red.”
You could be the decisive vote at the second D.C. Battle of the Badges, a blood donation drive being held by the District’s first responders on Friday, Aug. 19.
鈥淗elp D.C.鈥檚 bravest help you. Come on out and support your community,鈥� D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. told 草莓传媒.
The winner of last year鈥檚 inaugural event 鈥� the Metropolitan Police Department, with 34 versus 31 pints of blood donated 鈥� noted that everyone wins when people participate.
鈥淲e are hoping D.C. or DMV residents can join MPD and D.C. Fire and EMS for a friendly competition to help save lives and give back to our community,鈥� MPD Public Affairs Specialist Brianna Burch said.
鈥淢PD and D.C. Fire and EMS are tasked with responding to calls 24/7, seven days a week, and bravely save the lives of those in need. Donating blood is another vital lifesaving measure and each pint donated can save up to three lives.鈥�
The national capital region Red Cross sponsors the Battle of the Badges. All those who turn out and donate will receive a Battle of the Badges T-shirt, while supplies last.
鈥淛ust remember who you’re helping,鈥� Red Cross Communications Director Ashley Henyan said.
鈥淵ou’re helping someone who’s experienced a difficult childbirth, an accident, cancer patients. 鈥� these are the people who rely on blood transfusions to survive. That’s why we’re asking everyone to come out and support their favorite first responder department tomorrow.”
Donations are being collected in locations specific to each department. The blood drives are being held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19.
To vote for the fire department, donate at:
D.C. Fire and EMS Training Academy
4600 Shepard Pkwy SW
Washington, D.C. 20032
To vote for the police department, head to:
St. Luke Catholic Church
4925 East Capitol St. SE
Washington, D.C. 20019
To make an appointment to donate , fill in the appropriate ZIP code into the box stating “find a blood drive.”
Enter ZIP code 20019 for the blood drive at St. Luke’s Church with the police department; enter the ZIP code 20032 to vote for the fire department at the training academy.
