Officers face off; join American Red Cross for ‘Battle of the Badges’ blood drive

Close to 100 different Southern California law enforcement agencies will go head-to-head in the spirit of friendly competition to see which agency can donate the most blood through the American Red Cross in the 4th Annual Battle of the Badges blood drives.  

At the kick-off news conference, agency chiefs from local, state, and federal agencies will encourage all their badge-carrying officers, including friends and family, to become heroes by helping save lives through blood donations.  They will stand together, raise their uniform sleeves, and proudly display their blood donation bandages, showing their support for this life-saving cause, and boldly encouraging others to do the same.

WHO: Councilmember Jan Perry (City of Los Angeles), TV personality Adrianna Costa, Charles Wilcox (CEO, American Red Cross), Michelle Carey (Chief U.S. Probation Officer), and more than 20 agency chiefs representing an array of law-enforcement agencies.

WHAT: Kick-Off News Conference – 4th Annual Battle of the Badges blood drives

WHEN: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 10:30 AM (Blood drives begin at 9:00 AM)

WHERE: Fletcher Bowron Triforium - 201 N. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles CA 90012

(Northeast corner of Temple and Los Angeles Street, above the Los Angeles Mall)

Media parking available along Los Angeles Street

WHY: This chain of more than 100 Red Cross-supported blood drives has been coordinated by the U.S. Probation Office, and will run through February 20, 2009.  The Battle of the Badges goal for 2010 is to recruit more than 5,000 donors and will greatly help in replenishing our community's currently low supply of multiple blood types. This life-saving effort can substantially impact the availability of blood for accident victims, cancer patients, premature babies, burn patients, or our friends and neighbors who may need regular blood transfusions in order to live.

As a thank you, all presenting donors will receive a Battle of the Badges t-shirt, a coupon for a free appetizer from Mimi's Cafe, and a voucher for two tickets to a Los Angeles Clippers game.  For a full listing of blood drive sponsors and locations, please visit www.redcrossbattleofthebadges.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).