The Valdosta Fire and Police departments battled to see which team donated the most blood.
The American Red Cross is in dire need of blood donations and friendly competition for a good cause, the “Battle of the Badges,” aims to help the Red Cross meet its needs.
During the pandemic, inventory has been running low.
“Due to COVID and the effects of COVID last year on the cancellations of blood drives, we’re collecting 12% more this year than we did because of COVID. But the need has risen because more COVID patients need blood, more sickle cell patients need blood, cancer patients,” said Terri Jenkins, the executive director for the South Central Red Cross chapter.
Trauma cases are on the rise in South Georgia, and organ transplants, elective surgeries and natural disaster aftermath also all require blood supply.