Bismarck, N.D. – The Bismarck Police Department is urging residents to take part in the annual Battle of the Badges blood drive as Team Fire holds an early lead over Team Law following the first day of donations.
After Day 1, Team Fire led Team Law 19-17 in the friendly competition between Bismarck’s police and fire departments. But while the departments are competing to see which team can rally the most donors, officials emphasized that the larger goal is helping patients who rely on blood donations.
A total of 37 units of blood were donated during the first day of this year’s event, according to the Bismarck Police Department.
The Battle of the Badges has been held in Bismarck since 2007, bringing police officers and firefighters together in a competition designed to encourage residents to donate blood.
Team Law is defending its title this year and is calling on additional donors to help close the gap with Team Fire.
The remaining blood drive dates are Sept. 9 and 10, with donations being accepted from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Kirkwood Mall’s North Entrance.
Appointments are still available, and walk-ins are also welcome, giving residents multiple opportunities to participate.
The police department encouraged people to choose a team and bring along friends, coworkers and neighbors to donate. The department also continued the lighthearted rivalry with firefighters, jokingly encouraging residents to support their team against “that firefighter you know who thinks they’re better than the police.”
Despite the competition, the department stressed that the real victory is the number of patients who can benefit from the donated blood.
Blood donations can be used for accident victims, surgery patients and others who require lifesaving blood as part of their medical care. By encouraging more residents to participate, organizers hope to reach this year’s goal of more than 200 donors.
With Team Fire holding a two-donation advantage after the opening day, Team Law is asking supporters to help turn the competition around during the remaining days of the event.
Residents who want to participate can visit the blood drive at Kirkwood Mall during the remaining hours of the Battle of the Badges. Both scheduled appointments and walk-in donations are being accepted.
The Bismarck Police Department said the friendly competition between police and firefighters is ultimately about bringing the community together around a cause that can directly benefit people in need.
With more than 30 donations already collected on the first day and a goal of more than 200 donors, organizers are encouraging Bismarck residents to step forward and help their preferred team while contributing to the community’s blood supply.
