Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Emergency responders participate in friendly competition to boost summer blood supply
LIMA, Ohio — This summer you can be a hero by helping local police and firefighters save lives when you give blood during the annual Battle of the Badges in Lima on August 2 and 3 at the American Red Cross in Lima.
The Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition between firefighters and police officers to see who can bring in the most blood donations. The event is held each year to help the Red Cross maintain the blood supply during the traditionally challenging summer months. Donors who join in the battle can vote for their favorite department. Last year the police won the battle with 64 donations, and the Firefighters received 61 donations. These donations are used to support patients at more than 80 hospitals across Ohio and Indiana.
“Every donation is important to help ensure blood is available for patients in need,” said Marianne Hardesty, account manager for the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. “Generous, volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those patients who need it.”
This blood drive comes when the Red Cross has issued an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
Battle of the Badges Blood Drive
Tuesday, August 2, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 3, 2 – 7 p.m.
American Red Cross Chapter House
610 S. Collett Street, Lima, OH 45805
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS
The Red Cross is thanking those who come in to donate blood or platelets between July 25 and Aug. 31 by emailing them a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code. Those who come to donate between now and Sept. 5 can receive an exclusive Cedar Fair ticket offer that helps support the Red Cross, and enter to win one of two grand prize packages for four to Knott’s Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio. Blood drive participants can go to redcrossblood.org/cedarfair to purchase discounted tickets for gate admission and enter to win one of the two grand prize packages. For each ticket purchased through the website, Cedar Fair will donate $2 to the Red Cross to support its humanitarian mission. Terms and conditions apply and are available at redcrossblood.org/cedarfair.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 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 redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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