With donations down 10 percent across the nation, the La Vergne Police Department and La Vergne Fire Department are hosting Battle of the Badges, a blood drive with the American Red Cross.  The blood drive is scheduled on Saturday, August 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Merchandise Liquidators on Murfreesboro Road.

People eligible to donate may pick which team they are donating on behalf of – police or fire. You can check eligibility online to see if you meet new health and weight requirements, then make an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Lavergne.

“During our last friendly competition – and contrary to popular belief – it was the fire personnel who bought the greatest number of donuts during the library fundraiser, not the police!” said Police Chief Mike Walker.  “If you think our war with LFD was rough over the sale of donuts, just wait – we’re out-for-blood on this one!  We are asking the public to give from the heart and make a blood donation to the American Red Cross.” 

According to American Red Cross statistics, one point of blood can save up to three lives. Five million patients need blood each year and less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood. 

“As first responders, we know the need for a blood transfusion can happen in an instant,” said Rick McCormick, assistant fire chief.  “While my hope is that the fire department rounds up more people, the most important thing to remember is just donate.  We need your support to save lives through blood donation.”