Published: July 13, 2008 12:16 pm      

Battle lines drawn in contest

The American Red Cross has enlisted the help of local emergency response agencies and their personnel to help draw out more blood donors for a special community wide blood drive.

The blood drive, which has been titled as the “Battle of the Badges,” will give donors the opportunity to not only give life-saving blood, but also vote for their favorite emergency agency whether it is the Woodward Police Department, Woodward Fire Department, Woodward County Sheriff’s Office or Woodward County EMS.

The agency with the most votes after the two-day blood drive will receive a special trophy as well as a year’s worth of bragging rights, according to Cassandra Alcorn, donor recruitment representative for the Central Plains Region of the American Red Cross.

In addition, Alcorn said one emergency personnel officer will receive a special basket full of goodies from local businesses, including movie passes from Lakeside Theaters, meal certificates from Lotsa Noodles, and auto care supplies from AutoZone.

The basket will go to the officer who recruits the most donors, she said.

Alcorn said the Red Cross likes to get emergency personnel involved since “they understand how important it is to donate blood and save lives.”

Donors will also have the opportunity to win a goodie basket, Alcorn said. Everything about the “Battle of the Badges” is a little more fun than a regular blood drive, including the canteen food, Alcorn said, noting that depending on when they give, donors can enjoy either pizza or donuts during their 15-minute canteen visit.

“It’s something a little better than the typical crackers you get,” she said.

The Red Cross is making a special effort for this blood drive since “in the summertime it is more difficult to collect blood because people travel,” Alcorn said.

On average, Alcorn said “in our region somebody needs blood every two seconds.”

Persons interested in helping meet that need can visit the “Battle of the Badges” blood drive at Woodward’s Pioneer Room any time between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on July 21 or 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. on July 22.