Battle of the Badges blood drive kicks-off
Posted By: Bayley Bischof Channel 8 Eyewitness News
The Lincoln Police Department and Lincoln Fire and Rescue work together every day. But from now until August, they’re going head-to-head in a fierce competition for the most blood donors.
The losing department’s chief will have to wash an adoptable dog at the Capital Humane Society.
"It’s not that I’m afraid to wash a dog it’s I’m afraid my family will come with me and make contact with all of the animals there and I’ll come home with nine extra animals so it’s a financial incentive for me," Lincoln Fire and Rescue Chief Michael Despain said.
It kicked off today at Tower Square downtown, the Nebraska Community Blood Bank brought out two mobile donation units.
For one donor, Todd Sukstorf, it was an easy decision to pick LFR.
"My dad was volunteer firefighter for 20 some years so it was easy to choose the fire department over the police," he said.
Marcell Taladay said the same about her decision to choose the police department, in honor of the police officers that serve her students.
"We have some mentors that come to my school for teammates and they are lovely people," Taladay said.
While both departments have their eye on the trophy, they know there is a much bigger cause at stake.
"1,037 injury accidents that LPD has investigated so far this year thankfully not all of those required the services of the community blood bank, but if they did, the people that come out and give today will make that impact," Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said.
Erica Busta, with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank said these donations are more important now that ever.
"The summer can be a really challenging time to collect the blood that we need so it’s fun for us to do events like this that get people excited about giving blood and keep our blood supply up," Busta said.
The Battle of the Badges will run until August. If you want to donate you can go to any blood drive or donation center and simply tell them which department you want to win.
