Hays Post

The Ellis County American Red Cross Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is in need of donors to meet its goal.

The drive is about 50 pints short of its goal.

Today (Saturday) will be the last day for the drive. The mobile unit will be at Big Creek Crossing in Hays from 11 a.m. 5 p.m.

You can vote for your favorite first responders. The Hays EMS, police department or fire department will earn the honor of the annual blood drive trophy.

Bill Dinkel of the American Red Cross said holidays and the summers are the slowest times of year for blood donation because about a fifth of all blood donors are age 16 to 24 and no drives are going on at college campuses or high schools.

Despite this decline, the need for blood is constant, he said. That is why events like the Ellis County Battle of the Badges are so important.