LOS ANGELES, January 13, 2026 — Southern California first responders’ top priority is to help others in harm’s way. For the 20th campaign since 2007, first responders will further their commitment to helping others and saving lives by bolstering the community’s blood supply. During the Battle of the Badges blood drive, LA County law and public safety agencies compete to see who can recruit the most blood donors.

Angelenos can join the fun and friendly competition at locations throughout Southern California by donating at a Battle of the Badges blood drive between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2026. Everyone who donates at a Battle of the Badges blood drive will receive a commemorative T-shirt, while supplies last.

“The need for blood is constant—every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood,” said Jacquelyn Clites, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “Donations help new parents, premature babies, cancer patients and accident victims access lifesaving blood. When first responders step up to donate, they not only ensure an adequate blood supply but also inspire Angelenos to donate and save lives.”

Since Mahagony Thomas of the United States Probation Office launched the Battle of the Badges blood drive in 2007, more than 50,000 pints of blood have been donated in Southern California. In 2025 alone, the campaign collected 4,198 pints between January 1 and April 30, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department leading as the top collecting agency with 832 pints. Join Sheriff Robert G. Luna and badge-carrying agencies as we encourage community members to make a lifesaving impact during the 2026 campaign.

Upcoming Battle of the Badges blood donation opportunities Jan. 5 – March 31, 2026:

All Los Angeles Drives 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Agoura Hills

01/22/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Agoura Hills City Hall - Community Room, 30001 Ladyface Court

Alhambra

01/21/2026, 1 PM to 7 PM, Alhambra Police Department - EOC Room, 211 S 1st St.

02/03/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles County Development Authority - Commission Room, 700 W Main St

Baldwin Park

01/14/2026, 11 AM to 5 PM, Baldwin Park Arts - Recreation Center, 14403 E Pacific Blvd.

Bell Gardens

02/05/2026, 11 AM to 5 PM, Bell Gardens Veterans Park - Ross Hall Auditorium, 6662 Loveland St.

Carson

03/12/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Carson Community Center - Hall A, 801 Carson St.

Castaic

01/27/2026, 5 AM to 5 PM, Los Angeles County Pitchess Detention Center - NCCF Visitor Center, 29340 The Old Road

Commerce

02/20/2026, 11 AM to 5 PM, Lifeline EMS - Downstairs Training Room, 6605 E Washington Blvd

Downey

02/25/2026, 7 AM to 1 PM, Los Angeles County Internal Services & Probation HQ - Cafeteria, 9150 Imperial Hwy

El Segundo

02/03/2026, 8 AM to 2 PM, Los Angeles Air Force Base Fitness Center - Basketball Court, 483 N Aviation Blvd

Gardena

01/16/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Gardena Police Department - Rush Gym, 1651 W 162nd St

03/19/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Gardena Police Department - Rush Gym, 1651 W 162nd St

Glendora

02/12/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Glendora Public Library - Bidwell Forum, 140 S Glendora Ave

Granada Hills

01/24/2026, 8 AM to 2 PM, Los Angeles Fire Department FS #87 - Community Room, 10124 Balboa Blvd

03/28/2026, 8 AM to 2 PM, Los Angeles Fire Department FS #87 - Community Room, 10124 Balboa Blvd

Hawthorne

01/08/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Hawthorne Police Department - Community Room, 12501 S Hawthorne Blvd

Hermosa Beach

01/08/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Hermosa Beach City Hall - Council Chambers, 1315 Valley Dr

03/01/2026, 8 AM to 3:30 PM, Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club - Kiwanis Hall, 2515 Valley Dr

Hollywood

01/16/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles Police Department - Community Room, 6501 Fountain Ave

Lancaster

01/07/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, California State Prison - Large IST Room, 44750 60th St. W

Lomita

02/03/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department - Briefing Room, 26123 Narbonne Ave

Long Beach

01/21/2026, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Long Beach Police Department - Community Room, 400 W Broadway

Los Angeles

01/05/2026, 12 PM to 5 PM, Los Angeles Police Department Administration Offices - Compstat, 100 W 1st St

01/07/2026, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, LAPD Metropolitan Division - Roll Call Room, 2710 W Temple

01/08/2026, 8 AM to 2 PM, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department - Room 223 - 227, 1800 Paseo Rancho Castilla

01/14/2026, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, US Customs - Conference Room, 11099 La Cienega Blvd

01/15/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles County Hall of Administration - Conference Room 372, 500 W Temple St.

01/27/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles Police Department - Community Room, 3353 San Fernando Rd

01/28/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Los Angeles Police Dept - Community Room, 3400 S. Central Ave

02/03/2026, 8 AM to 2 PM, US Coast Guard - Warehouse, 1001 S Seaside Ave

02/04/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Hall of Justice - Media Conference Room, 211 W Temple St

02/05/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Los Angeles Police Department Hollenbeck Division - Community Room, 2111 E 1st St.

02/10/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, FBI W Annex - Conference Rooms, 11000 Wilshire Blvd.

02/19/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, United States Secret Service - EY Plaza - Marketing Suite 175, 725 S Figueroa St

02/23/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Roybal Federal Bldg. - 11th Floor Conference Room, 255 E Temple St

02/24/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, LAPD Central Community Police Station - Roll Call Room, 251 E 6th St

02/25/2026, 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Los Angeles Police Department Administration Offices - Compstat, 100 W 1st St

02/252026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Los Angeles Police Department Rampart Division - Community Room, 1401 W 6th St

03/03/2026, 8 AM to 3 PM, Twin Towers Correctional Facility - Classrooms B/C, 450 Bauchet St

03/04/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, US Army Corps of Engineers Main Office at Nine Fifteen Wilshire - Wellness Center, 915 Wilshire Blvd

03/10/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, C. Erwin Piper Technical Center - George Becker Training Room, 555 Ramirez St

03/17/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles School Police Department - Roll Call Room, 125 N Beaudry Ave.

03/19/2026, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Centro Maravilla Service Center - Auditorium, 4716 E Cesar E Chavez Ave

03/25/2026, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, US Customs - Conference Room, 11099 La Cienega Blvd

03/26/2026, 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Los Angeles Police Department Administration Offices - Compstat, 100 W 1st St

03/26/2026, 8 AM to 2 PM, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department - Room 223 - 227, 1800 Paseo Rancho Castilla

Lynwood

03/02/2026, 12 PM to 5 PM, Century Sheriff's Station - Kenneth Hahn Auditorium, 11703 Alameda St.

Mission Hills

01/13/2026, 8 AM to 8 PM, Los Angeles Police Department - Community Room, 11121 Sepulveda Blvd

03/24/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Los Angeles Police Department - Community Room, 11121 Sepulveda Blvd

Monrovia

01/15/2026, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monrovia Public Library - Community Room, 321 S Myrtle Ave

Monterey Park

03/19/2026, 11 AM to 5 PM, Alads - Conference Room, 2 Cupania Cir

Norwalk

02/04/2026, 11 AM to 5 PM, Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex - Rich Rehearsal Hall, 13000 Clarkdale Ave

Palmdale

02/26/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Elk's Lodge 2027 - Meeting Hall, 2705 E Ave Q

Pico Rivera

02/11/2026, 12 PM to 6 PM, Pico Rivera Community Center - Auditorium, 9528 Beverly Blvd

Redondo Beach

01/07/2026, 8 AM to 6 PM, Redondo Beach Public Library - Meeting Room A, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy

Reseda

01/26/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles Police Department - Community Room, 19020 Vanowen St.

San Dimas

03/18/2026, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept San Dimas Station - EOC Conference, 270 S Walnut Ave

San Fernando

02/03/2026, 9 AM to 2 PM, LAPD Foothill - Jeopardy Gym, 11844 Glenoaks Blvd

San Gabriel

02/04/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, San Gabriel Mission Playhouse - Glass Room Gallery, 320 S Mission Dr

Santa Fe Springs

01/26/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency Headquarters - Cathy Chides, 10100 Pioneer Blvd

Temple City

03/18/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, Temple Sheriff's Station - Briefing Room, 8838 Las Tunas Dr.

Valencia

02/16/2026, 7 AM to 7 PM, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital - EC Rooms, 23803 McBean Pkwy

Van Nuys

02/03/2026, 12 PM to 6 PM, Van Nuys Public Library - Community Room, 6250 Sylmar Ave

Walnut

03/10/2026, 11 AM to 5 PM, Sheriff's Department - Assembly Room, 21695 Valley Blvd

West Covina

03/31/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, W Covina Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church - Hall, 3536 E. Temple Way

Westchester

02/24/2026, 7 AM to 1 PM, Ahmanson Recruit Training Center - Training Room, 5651 W. Manchester Ave

Whittier

01/27/2026, 1 PM to 7 PM, Whittier Community Center - Gym, 7630 Washington Ave

How To Donate Blood

These blood drives come as the Red Cross recovers from canceled drives due to severe weather across the country. Blood and platelet donors are needed now to ensure patient needs are met in the coming weeks.

Join our efforts to stand side by side with first responders and come out and donate blood during this annual lifesaving event. Make an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and enter sponsor code BOB25.Those who come out to give at a Battle of the Badges blood drive will receive a commemorative T-shirt, while supplies last.

Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.