The lifeblood of competition runs red across Southern California—not in rivalry, but in life-saving altruism as the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department lock horns in the "Battle of the Badges" blood drive this 2024. These first responders are squaring off to see who can roll up more sleeves for a cause that's a literal lifeline, according to an LAFD announcement.
In this annual crusade that stretches across January through March, departments are rallying troops—not for enforcement or firefighting—but to court blood donors by the squad, whether they're badge-bearers or just civic-minded civvies. The initiative, dubbed the largest among public safety agencies nationwide, has amassed over 50,000 units of blood since its 2007 inception, showcasing the tireless tenacity of those who normally hustle to quell flames and crime.
Kind-hearted Angelenos eager to donate can target their vital contribution through the Red Cross Blood Donor Application, visit the redcrossblood.org website, or dial 1-800-RED-CROSS—entering the sponsor code BOB24 to affiliate their donation with this particular skirmish of the badges.
For the calendar-watchers and the community-spirited, Fire Station 87 on Balboa Boulevard in Granada Hills will throw open its doors for bloodletting on three pivotal Saturdays. The 20th of January, the 17th of February, and the 23rd of March—each event running from the crisp hours of 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
