The Midland Fire Department and Midland Police Department will face off starting Thursday in the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.
The event is a yearly competition through United Blood Services that addresses the desperate need for blood in West Texas while creating friendly competition between Midland's first responders. The entire community is invited to donate in the name of either department.
The first day of the drive will take place Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to noon at both the Police and Communications Center (601 N. Loraine) or Central Fire Station (1500 W. Wall). The drive will continue from Sept. 9 through 11 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Midland Park Mall Center Court. All donors will receive a t-shirt, free food and gifts, and a traveling trophy will be awarded to the department with the highest number of donations.
"Our local West Texas hospitals use around 130 pints of blood every day for trauma patients, cancer patients, surgeries, and many other lifesaving procedures," said Assistant Fire Chief Michael Cota. "One donation can save up to three lives. We hope this event encourages those who have never donated to donate and realize how simple it really is."
For more information about donating blood please visit www.unitedbloodservices.org.
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