SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, 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, Southern California, first responders, law and public safety agencies compete to see who can recruit the most blood donors.

The community can join the fun and friendly competition at locations throughout Southern California by donating at a Battle of the Badges blood drive between January 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 and every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood donations collected may go to help new parents, premature babies, cancer patients and accident victims access lifesaving blood.

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.

How To Donate Blood

The blood drives come at a time when the American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are urged to give now to help people who rely on transfusions for medical care. and platelet donors are needed now to ensure patient needs are met in the coming weeks.

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 SoCalBadges.

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.

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

ORANGE COUNTY

Brea
2/19/2026, 10 AM to 3:30 PM, Brea Community Center - Art Room, 695 E Madison Way

Buena Park
2/19/2026, 9 AM to 2 PM, Buena Park Community Center - Ballroom, 6688 Beach Blvd

Cypress
1/15/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, City of Cypress Community Center - Ballroom A, 5700 Orange Ave

Fullerton
03/26/2026, 11 AM to 5 PM, Fullerton Public Library - Conference Center, 353 W Commonwealth Ave

Laguna Nigel
2/10/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Sea Country Senior and Community Center - Yosemite Ballroom, 24602 Aliso Creek Rd

La Habra
1/14/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, La Habra Community Center - Puente Hills Room, 101 W La Habra Blvd

La Palma
1/07/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, La Palma Community Center - Royal Palm Room, 7821 Walker St.

Los Alamitos
1/29/2026, 9 AM to 3:30 PM, Veterans Service Center - Building 244 Veterans Service Center, 11206 Lexington Dr

Newport Beach
1/26/2026, 8 AM to 2 PM, Newport Beach Police Department - Auditorium, 870 Santa Barbara

San Clemente
2/20/2026, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, San Clemente Community Center - Ole Hanson Fireside Room, 100 N Calle Seville

San Juan Capistrano
1/07/2026, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, San Juan Capistrano Library - La Sala Room, 31495 El Camino Real

Seal Beach
2/11/2026, 10 AM to 3:30 PM, City of Seal Beach - Mary Wilson Library Senior Center, 707 Electric Ave

02/17/2026, 9:30 AM to 3 PM, Naval Weapons Station - Gym, 800 Seal Beach Blvd

Stanton
2/26/2026, 10 AM to 3 PM, Stanton Central Park - Multi-Purpose Room, 10660 Wern Ave

Villa Park
2/05/2026, 12 PM to 6 PM, City of Villa Park - Community Room, 17855 Santiago Blvd

Westminster
01/27/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, Westminster Community Services - A/B Meeting Room, 8200 Westminster Blvd

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Lake Elsinore
1/29/2026, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Lake Elsinore Cultural Center - Meeting Room, 183 N Main

Riverside
2/25/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, George E Brown Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse - Fitness Room, 3470 Twelfth St.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

Chino
2/17/2026, 11 AM to 4 PM, Chino Police Department, 5450 Walnut Avenue

Montclair
2/24/2026, 2 PM to 8 PM, Montclair Police Department Senior Center - North Room, 5111 Benito St.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Carlsbad
3/25/2026, 9 AM to 3 PM, City of Carlsbad Safety Training Center - Upstairs Conference Rooms, 5750 Orion St

Escondido
3/26/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, San Diego County Fire/CAL FIRE Station 14 - Apparatus Bay, 2323 Felicita Rd

San Diego
1/14/2026, 10 AM to 4 PM, San Diego Police Department - Room 213, 1401 Broadway St.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Visit redcross.org/la for additional information.