WORCESTER, Mass. - Fun seems to follow Buddy the Blood Drop, and the 2026 Worcester Battle of the Badges blood drive at the DCU Center didn’t disappoint.
Residents of Worcester came out to support the Worcester Fire and Police Departments in early July, restarting the local tradition that had taken a break since the pandemic.
The drive was championed by Chief Scott Armstrong with Worcester FD and Officer John Alers with the Worcester PD, who spread the word to fellow police and firefighters as well as family and local supporters.
In total, 108 units of blood were collected with the Worcester Police just edging out Worcester Fire by 10 units.
Worcester Mayor Joe Petty kicked off the call for donors with a social media video from his office, asking residents to ‘pick a side and give back’, noting each blood donation can save more than one life.
Community support is instrumental for a successful community blood drive according to Nancy Hurley, an account manager for the Red Cross in Massachusetts.
“The Red Cross has a need, and this is a difficult time of year to collect,” Hurley said. “People are so busy going into the summer, but the need is still there. It’s been great to get their support, especially with the July 4th weekend and all this summer heat.”
Worcester Police were also important in the promotion of the drive, using their social media channels to create public awareness about the need for blood. Worcester Fire also successfully used their social media channels to get department supporters out to the blood drive at the DCU Center.
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