Graphic courtesy of the American Red Cross
By Gina Long
The annual Battle of The Badges occurs this week as the Hutchinson Police Department and the Hutchinson Fire Department continue a friendly rivalry.
The competition kicked off on Saturday at New Covenant Presbyterian Church. The HPD and the HFD are recruiting blood donors who “vote” for a department. The winner gets bragging rights and a traveling trophy.
The Hutchinson Fire Department has triumphed the last few years.
Donating blood is simple, with multiple options to pre-register online at RedCrossBlood.org and an app for those who donate regularly. The app simplifies the check-in process, similar to the electronic questionnaires from the Hutch Clinic before a doctor’s appointment. Donors can also call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule. Drop-ins are welcome.
Blood donor rates have fallen, particularly among younger people. Changes implemented in 2015 may have played a role due to increases in minimum height and weight requirements, mainly affecting young first-time donors, and increases in hemoglobin thresholds, which affect young menstruating women and older women.
School-based blood drives have become less common, too, which delays introducing youth to the importance of regular donations.
This year, donors will be automatically entered to possibly win Super Bowl LIX tickets, including pre-game activities, the Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to New Orleans, hotel stay and a $1,000 gift card to cover incidentals.
First Presbyterian Church at Sherman and Poplar is hosting the remaining events:
- Monday, Jan. 27 Noon – 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Jan. 28 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 29 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The American Red Cross has seen donations nationwide drop since the first of the year due to harsh winter weather affecting the eastern and southern two-thirds of the country.
Please donate and leave a comment about whether you are with Team Hutchinson Police or Team Hutchinson Fire.
