ANDOVER, Minn. – (Aug. 23, 2018) – Memorial Blood Centers holds an annual Battle of the Badges blood drive pitting law enforcement agencies against one another in an effort to help fill up local blood banks. This week a mobile blood drive was held at the Anoka County Sheriff Office.
“For many years now, the Sheriff’s Office has been participating with the Battle of the Badges in our partnership with Memorial Blood Centers,” said Sheriff James Stuart. “It’s a fun way for us to challenge other police departments, other sheriff’s offices and fire departments to just be able to come together and see who can raise the most awareness as well as generate more blood for the banks.”
Law enforcement personnel see firsthand the need to blood and Sheriff Stuart is thankful to be able to give blood to help those in need.
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“Our staff get to see and experience the need on a regular basis. The bad crashes, the medicals, all of those type of tragic instances that impact lives day in and day out. We know the need is very real, and this is an opportunity for us to be part of giving back and help close that gap,” said Stuart.
Having a friendly competition has been a great way to get more at the sheriff’s office involved in giving blood and it has even given them some bragging rights.
“The Battle of the Badges is a metro wide event. All the public safety agencies are able to participate, and it is a competition of course, and we have been able to win the Battle of the Badges a couple times in the past. I don’t know where our numbers looks this year, but we’re optimistic. If we don’t take it this year, we’ll be back again next year,” said Stuart.
Blood is always in need at local blood banks, especially type O-negative.
