HUTCHINSON — The Battle of the Badges Hutchinson Community Blood Drive has wrapped up, and organizers say the three-day event was a major success for both local pride and lifesaving efforts.
After three days of donations and friendly competition between local police and fire departments, the contest came down to a single vote. Police narrowly claimed victory with 104 ballots, edging out Fire’s 103 ballots in one of the closest finishes the event has seen.
Here’s how the voting broke down by day:
- Monday: Police 48, Fire 60
- Tuesday: Police 27, Fire 19
- Wednesday: Police 29, Fire 24
Beyond the scoreboard, organizers say the real win was the impact on the region’s blood supply during a time of ongoing shortage.
Donation totals varied by day, but community participation remained strong throughout the drive:
- Monday: 121 total units collected, exceeding the goal by five units
- Tuesday: 73 total units collected, falling 11 units short of the daily goal
- Wednesday: 65 total units collected, surpassing the goal by 11 units
In total, 259 units of blood were collected over the three-day drive, including whole blood and Power Red donations.
Organizers thanked donors, volunteers, first responders, and community partners for helping spread the word and encouraging participation, noting that every donation can help save multiple lives.
With hospitals still facing a severe blood shortage, officials emphasized that the community’s continued support remains critical and said they look forward to partnering again for future blood drives.