Rockford Fire and Police’s 2025 Battle of the Badges blood drive gets underway

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — It’s a friendly competition with a serious impact. Rockford’s fire and police departments kicked off this year’s battle of the badges blood drive with the hopes of saving lives.

The departments will compete all week to see who can bring in the most donations.

“You can save up to three lives with one donation, and because the blood stays local, it might actually help save the life of somebody that you know,” said Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd.

Interim Fire Chief Brian Carlson said the competition is an opportunity for the public to do what first responders do every day, serve the community they love.

“Us as firefighters and police, we’re here serving our community, but you can make a difference, too,” he said. “Every little bit helps here, just for a little bit of time to give a little donation and help support us… but vote fire.”

The competition is all in support of the Rock River Valley Blood Center. Rockford Fire has won the past two years. Both departments encourage everyone to give blood.

When you donate, you pick your team – fire or police. The winner at the end of the week gets bragging rights.

Leaders at the blood center say summer time usually brings a lull in donations because donors are on vacation or otherwise enjoying time off. They said there’s an increased need for life-saving blood during the warm weather months. A single donation can save up to three lives.

“Blood donation isn’t really something that we think about until it impacts us personally. I mean I never donated blood until my grandfather needed a blood transfusion. I think it’s something that it doesn’t hit home until you understand how important it is,” said Maggie Anderson, Marketing and Recruitment Specialist at the Rock River Valley Blood Center.”

“Blood is used every two seconds in the United States. Somebody receives a blood transfusion,” she said. “It’s used for cancer patients, premature babies, different heart surgeries, and people who have been in an accident. It’s used so much more often than people think.”

This year’s blood drive runs through Friday, July 18.