Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Set for June 4-5 in Breckenridge
Community members will have two opportunities to donate blood and support their favorite first responders during the upcoming Battle of the Badges blood drive this week in Breckenridge.
The annual event, sponsored by the Breckenridge Rotary Club and organized with Carter BloodCare, takes place during a period when blood supplies often face seasonal shortages. “You know, the summer…we just hate the summer at the blood bank (because of) the summer slump,” Colleen Horan with Carter BloodCare said during the kickoff luncheon at last week’s Breckenridge Rotary Club meeting.
Colleen Horan with Carter BloodCare spoke to Rotary Club members and local first responders during the Battle of the Badges kickoff luncheon at last week. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
“We don’t have those big high schools doing their blood drives, ,” she said. “People go on vacation, and you guys, as first responders, know people do things in the summertime that may cause issues. So we have to make sure we have the blood on the shelves that we need.”
Horan said the organization is also preparing for increased demand related to the FIFA World Cup, which will bring matches to the Dallas-Fort Worth area this summer.
“We also have the World Cup coming up this summer in the DFW area, so we’re thinking about that,” Horan said. “Hopefully, everything will be fine, but we do have to be prepared for more people that are going to be in the Metroplex.”
According to Horan, Carter BloodCare supplies blood products to hospitals throughout North Central Texas and has expanded its service area over the years. This year is their 75th anniversary.
The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive will take place on the following schedule:
- Thursday, June 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Texas State Technical College, 307 N. Breckenridge Ave., room 103
- Friday, June 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stephens Memorial Hospital/Breckenridge Medical Center, 101 S. Hartford St., Carter BloodCare Mobile Drive Bus
Click here to register for a donation time.
“If you can donate, please do. We really need it,” Horan said. “If you can’t, see if you can find someone who can come and donate on your behalf.”
The Battle of the Badges competition allows donors to support local first responders while helping replenish the region’s blood supply. All donors will receive a $25 gift card.
“If you are on social media, if you could just help spread the word, let your fellow employees know, your neighbors, your friends, your family, everybody,” Horan said. “Let’s get the word out and let everybody know we’re doing this Battle with the Badges.”
Cutline, top photo: Joining Carter BloodCare’s Colleen Horan for the Battle of the Badges kickoff at the Breckenridge Rotary Club meeting last week were, from left, Kevin Roach, Stephens County Sheriff; Jay Walker, Breckenridge Police Department; Bruce Bufkin, Breckenridge Police Department; Wesley Turner, Breckenridge Fire Department; Blake Johnson, Breckenridge Police Chief; Dustin Wright, Sacred Cross EMS; Malcolm Bufkin, Breckenridge Fire Chief; and Jose Garcia, Chad Skiles and Blaine Kayga with the Breckenridge Fire Department. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
