Henderson Police Chief Thedrick Andres (left) and Henderson Fire Chief Shawn White with the Henderson Battle of the Badges blood drive trophy. The blood drive was a success with 71 units collected. The Fire Department won the inaugural blood drive competition.
Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
HENDERSON, Nev. (Nov. 10, 2022) — The Henderson Fire Department overtook the Police Department in the final hours to win the City of Henderson’s first American Red Cross of Southern Nevada Battle of the Badges blood drive today. But the entire community was the actual winner with 71 units of blood collected at the blood drive.
Henderson Police and Fire Departments competed to see who could recruit the most blood donors. Donors at the blood drive put a color-coded ticket in a box before donating – red for firefighters, blue for police officers. In the end, the firefighters received 19 more tickets than the police and took home the coveted Henderson Battle of the Badges trophy for this year.
“Our first responders have always made saving lives their top priority, and they went beyond the call of duty with the Battle of the Badges blood drive,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “The 71 units of blood collected today have the potential to save as many as 213 lives here in Nevada and throughout the country.”
The Henderson Battle of the Badges blood drive comes at an important time, Flanigan said, as there is often a decrease in donations during the holiday season. “By helping replenish the blood supply, first responders are again serving our community,” she said. “The decline has caused our blood supply to shrink, and we’re counting on donations to bring it back up.”
Even with the success of Battle of the Badges, the need for blood donations remains critical, as the Red Cross faced a concerning decline in donations this summer. “Fortunately, there is hope of ending this critical need for blood in our community, and across the country, with a simple act of kindness – donating blood,” Flanigan said.
How to give blood
The American Red Cross supplies 40% of the nation’s blood reserves and urges everyone – especially those with type O blood – to give now. Make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.