Howard County first responders are on a mission to help save lives during a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Friday, March 21 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kokomo Family YMCA. The community is invited to donate blood and vote for their favorite first responders as the Kokomo Police Department and Howard County Sheriff's Office compete against the Kokomo Fire Department and EMS and Howard County Volunteer Firefighters.

Battle of the Badges helps meet patients’ needs through a fun competition. Anyone who donates blood at this drive will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite first responders and the department with the most votes will be declared the winner. Blood donors can give back to their community and help patients who rely on lifesaving blood transfusions, while supporting local departments.

Fire/EMS and Law Enforcement often see how blood donations play a critical role in helping accident and burn victims, trauma patients and more. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. During emergency situations, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can help save lives.

Howard County Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

March 21, 2025, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kokomo Family YMCA

114 N Union Street

Kokomo, IN 46901

Make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code “KOKOMOBATTLE.” You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule an appointment.

All who come to give blood March 1-31, 2025, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/March.

March is Red Cross Month
During Red Cross Month in March, we’re helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations this month. Diabetes affects 1 in 10 people in the United States and nearly a quarter of those living with it have been undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The free A1C screening aims to help address this gap by empowering blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health and well-being. This new offering is among the longtime work of the Red Cross to support the health of communities, which also includes disaster relief efforts such as basic disaster health and mental health services among other assistance.

You can also make a financial donation at RedCross.org/GivingDay on March 26 to support people with disaster services such as emergency shelter, food, relief supplies, basic health care, emotional support and financial assistance.

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @indianaredcross.