Battle of the Badges pushes for donations in final stretch

(ABC 6 News) – Who said a little friendly competition ever hurt anyone? Especially if it helps others in the end.

That’s what Battle of the Badges is about. A friendly competition between area first responders to see who can get the most blood donations.

In Olmsted County, every 10 minutes someone is in need of a blood transfusion. According to Mayo Clinic, your donation alone could save up to three lives. To encourage donations, first responders are competing to see who can get the most donations.

Going through the end of August, when you finish donating, you can pick if you want your donation to go towards the fire department’s final tally, law enforcement, or Mayo Clinic’s Ambulance Service.

"It’s usually a competitive crowd between the three of us," said Isaac Molin with the Rochester Fire Department.

"There’s three different agencies – law enforcement, fire, and EMS. We work really well together out on the scenes and at the same time, we’re kind of in the trenches together. We like to give each other a hard time."

The team with the highest amount of donations wins bragging rights and a trophy. Currently, the Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service is holding on to the award.

Mayo Clinic is in dire need of O- blood. If you don’t know your blood type, you’re still encouraged to come and donate.

Blood can be donated at the Mayo Clinic donor locations:

Downtown
Hilton Building, First Floor
210 Second Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902

Saint Marys Campus
Joseph Building, M-86
1216 Second Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902

The competition goes through August 31.