By Ashley Henyan

Since the Red Cross issued its first-ever blood crisis alert on January 10, 2022, severe winter weather has further complicated efforts to rebuild the blood supply. Nationwide hundreds of blood drives have been canceled due to winter storms in January, forcing about 6,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected across the U.S. Here in the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake region, dozens of drives were canceled or delayed in the first few weeks of January 2022, alone—with more than 130 pints of blood going uncollected.

To help meet the needs of hospital patients, on January 27, 2022, the City of Frederick Maryland Police Department and the Frederick County Maryland Fire Department participated in a friendly competition – A Battle of the Badges Blood Drive – to see which agency would come out on top in an all-out effort to save lives.

With the support of Fire Chief Coe and Police Chief Lando, who both attended the drive, 51 units of lifesaving blood were collected to help cancer patients, mothers experiencing complicated childbirth, accident and trauma victims and other patients in need of a transfusion.

“I was thrilled to see our local first responders - those who already save lives daily as part of their jobs – participate in a battle of the badges blood drive,” said Curt Luthye, Executive Director for the Red Cross of Montgomery, Howard and Frederick Counties. “Perhaps even more encouraging is the fact 27 participants in this drive were first time blood donors!”

All in, the Frederick County Fire Department team came out on top – with 30 participants rolling up a sleeve.

While there has been a significant and encouraging response to the dire need for blood across the nation, the American Red Cross continues to need eligible donors to give in the weeks ahead to recover from its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Those interested in helping are urged to schedule the earliest-available blood or platelet donation appointment in their area to help ensure hospital patients receive lifesaving care without delay.

Those who come to give blood or platelets Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, thanks to Amazon.