Battle of the Badges blood drive commences Dec. 17
Capt. Stacy Haraway and Lt. Damian William shake hands in the Madison Municipal Building. (Record Photo / Jonece Dunigan)
By Jonece Dunigan / For the Record
The competition between the Madison Police Department and Madison Fire Department has been kept alive through a variety of sports, such as softball and tug-of-war, for many years.
This holiday season, the feud will be incorporated with the American Red Cross in a blood drive to inspire people to give more blood.
Battle of the Badges will be Monday, Dec. 17 at Madison City Hall from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. The community can donate blood to the Red Cross and cast a vote for either the local policemen or firefighters. The department with the most votes will win a trophy.
Fire Capt. Stacy Haraway states there are some firefighters who donate blood every 56 days, which is the required safe waiting period.
Haraway believes promoting a sense of heroism is more important to him than receiving bragging rights. “When someone is donating blood, then that blood has a chance at saving somebody’s life,” Haraway said.
Police Lt. Damian Williams developed a personal connection to giving blood after his father completed open-heart surgery and his mother became a cancer patient. He has been donating blood for 30 years.
“It’s Christmas time and we’re always looking for a gift to give. What better gift than the gift of life,” Williams said.
The event is sponsored by Lawlers Bar-B-Que, who and will provide lunch boxes.
According to the American Red cross, eating a healthy meal and drinking 16 ounces of water before and after donating can help prevent side effects such as dizziness and nausea.
Participants must be at least 17 years old, be 110 pounds or more, and must show either a driver’s license or two other forms of identification. For more information, call 1-800-Red-Cross.
