Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Returns for Second Year

DULUTH, Minn. –Twin Ports first responders got competitive for the second annual “battle of the badges” blood drive.

On Thursday, Mayo Clinic ambulance, Duluth Fire Department, and Duluth Police Department went head-to-head to see which agency could donate the most blood.

Last year, the Duluth Fire Department took home the victory. We’re still waiting to hear which agency donated the most for the win, which means a trophy and bragging rights amongst agencies.

“These are superheroes that are coming in, and they’re heroes for donating blood too. They see patients every day in situation where they need blood. And so just like we need our first responders to be available 24/7, we at Memorial blood center have to be ready for patients 24/7,” said Michelle Kyle, the senior account manager at Memorial Blood Center. “We have to have that blood ready to go.”

According to Memorial Blood Center, about 2% of people donate blood at the national Level. But here in the Northland about 8% of people donate.