Who will win? The battle for blood donations

NEVADA, Mo. (July 15, 2022) — The Vernon County Sheriff’s Department and City of Nevada
Police and Fire Departments are teaming up with the American Red Cross for a lifesaving event
to see who can recruit the most blood donors in their community to donate blood.

Eligible donors have a chance to take part in this friendly competition and respond to the call to
help those in need on Friday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vernon County Fairgrounds
Activity Center, 1488 E. Ashland, in Nevada. Donors’ blood donations will help decide which
agency wins bragging rights. All three municipalities help save lives on a daily basis. The Battle
of the Badges is another way to do that, and the three departments are excited for this year’s
challenge.

The Red Cross blood supply remains vulnerable, and donated blood has a limited shelf life, so supplies must be continuously replenished to ensure sufficient inventory of blood products. In June, the Red Cross collected approximately 12% fewer blood donations than needed – one of the largest monthly blood donation shortfalls in recent years. Here in the Missouri and Arkansas Region, 1,451 fewer donations were made than expected. When less people answer the call to donate, the blood supply shrinks – and that could mean blood products aren’t ready for hospital staff to reach for in emergencies.

“First responders know how important it is to have blood readily available for emergencies,” said Stacy Burks, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Southern Missouri. “By supporting this blood drive, they are helping ensure that blood is on the shelves before it is needed for the nation’s blood supply. We are extremely grateful to be able to work with the law enforcement
and fire department.”

If you are interested in donating blood you can visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1- 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).