By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The American Red Cross annual Battle of the Badges blood drive “shattered” the goal of reaching 270 units of blood by collecting 302 units of blood instead between Dec. 11 and Jan. 3.

Red Cross donor recruitment representative Cathy Younger is not revealing the winning team yet, but said Friday the race was “very, very close.”

The Battle of the Badges is an  annual community blood drive in which local first responders compete to see who can bring in the most blood donations in their name.

As of Dec. 28,  Ellis County EMS led the pack with 51 donations, Hays-area firefighters followed closely behind with 48 and Hays law enforcement had 43 donations.

The winning team will be presented with the 2014 Battle of the Badges Trophy during halftime of Fort Hays State University’s basketball game against Pittsburgh State at Gross Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 24.

The night is also FHSU’s First Responder Appreciation Night. All law enforcement, EMS and firefighters gain free entry into the game as long as they are in uniform or show proper identification.

Younger said she was thankful to all who participated in this year’s event.