First Responders Join Memorial Blood Centers to Save Lives

ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Across the Metro area, local heroes have again demonstrated their commitment to serve our communities as they recently participated in the Battle of the Badges, a friendly competition sponsored by Memorial Blood Centers to engage volunteer blood donors in saving lives. This year was the highest participation over the past eight years with 15 departments hosting blood drives and recruiting members of the community to donate. The results are now in and today Memorial Blood Centers announced the 2013 winners in the race to save lives.

First Place: Edina Police Department, earned top honors for the third year in a row, with 64 registered donors.

Rookie Award: Loretto Fire Department, first-time participant in the Battle of the Badges event, came in with 41 registered donors.

Participation Awards also were earned by Anoka County Sheriff's Office, Brooklyn Park Police, Edina Police, Golden Valley Fire & Police, Hennepin County E.M.S., Lino Lakes C.E.R.T., Long Lake and Orono Fire & Police, Loretto Fire, Maple Grove Fire & Police, Minneapolis Fire & Police, Rogers Fire & Police, St. Francis Fire, Wayzata Fire and West Metro Fire.  

Congratulations to all participating first responders and the 500 plus volunteer blood donors who generously rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life during this month-long event. These generous donations made it possible for Memorial Blood Centers to reach over 1500 people in our community with life-saving blood.

The Battle of the Badges—now in its eighth year—is an annual, friendly competition between teams of first responders that raises awareness of the importance of blood donation and collects life-saving blood to serve our local hospitals and all those in need. The next Battle of the Badges is scheduled for August 2014. To find out how you can help save lives now and throughout the year—as a donor, volunteer, or blood drive sponsor—visit MBC.org or call 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).

About Memorial Blood Centers

Memorial Blood Centers has been saving lives for over 60 years as an independent nonprofit supplying life-saving blood to area hospitals and other partners throughout the U.S. A division of Innovative Blood Resources, MBC operates 11 donor centers and conducts hundreds of blood drives each month. Memorial Blood Centers also provides comprehensive testing and expert technical services as a national leader in transfusion medicine. For more information, call 888-GIVE-BLD or visit MBC.org.

SOURCE Memorial Blood Centers