Police officers and firefighters spend much of the year working side by side when emergencies strike.
This week, they’ll find themselves on opposite sides of a different kind of call.
The Worcester Police Department and Worcester Fire Department square off in the annual Battle of the Badges blood drive on Thursday, July 2, inviting residents to donate blood while casting a friendly vote for either department.
Hosted by the American Red Cross at the DCU Center, the event aims to turn a bit of hometown rivalry into something far more important: helping replenish the region’s blood supply during one of the most difficult times of the year for donations.
The Worcester Battle of the Badges Blood Drive began in 2017 as a partnership among the American Red Cross, the Worcester Police Department, the Worcester Fire Department and the DCU Center. John LaHair, director of marketing for the DCU Center, told the Worcester Guardian the inaugural event collected 216 units of blood, making it the largest blood drive held in Worcester at the time and the largest in Central Massachusetts that year. The event returned in 2018 and 2019, with the 2018 drive collecting 221 units of blood, setting another Worcester record and becoming one of the largest single-day blood drives in Massachusetts.
Summer often brings a sharp decline in blood donations as vacations, school breaks and changing schedules disrupt regular donor participation, say organizers. At the same time, hospitals continue to rely on a steady supply of blood products for surgeries, emergency care and patients undergoing treatment for serious illnesses.
While donors have the chance to decide whether their donation counts toward Worcester Police or Worcester Fire, organizers say the real winner will be the community.
“While the rivalry is all in good fun, the need is very real,” the announcement states.
The blood drive will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DCU Center. Community members are encouraged to donate regardless of which department they choose to support.
In addition to helping save lives, eligible donors will receive free parking, refreshments and an American Red Cross and Looney Tunes T-shirt while supplies last. Donors will also have the opportunity to enter drawings for tickets to upcoming DCU Center events.
Organizers hope the competition encourages residents who may not otherwise consider donating blood to participate while supporting Worcester’s first responders.
Worcester police have historically held the upper hand in the friendly rivalry, winning the Battle of the Badges trophy during each of the event’s first three years. According to LaHair, the Police Department defeated Worcester Fire 151-104 in 2017, 135-121 in 2018 and 115-96 in 2019.
Following the 2019 event, the blood drive was paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on public gatherings. Organizers are now bringing the event back for the first time since then.
“The return of Battle of the Badges is about more than a competition. It’s about showcasing Worcester at its best… neighbors helping neighbors, first responders leading by example, and the community coming together to make a real impact. We hope residents across Central Massachusetts will join us on July 2 and be part of something meaningful,” LaHair told the Worcester Guardian.
According to the announcement, the event is intended to “help settle the score, support our local first responders, and most importantly, help replenish the blood supply during the critical summer months.”
The Battle of the Badges blood drive takes place Thursday, July 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DCU Center.
