Officials with the American Red Cross say the two departments are partnering with American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region for the third year.
COLUMBIA (WACH) - There is nothing like friendly competition to get blood pumping.
The 2012 "Boots and Badges" blood drive finished Wednesday night, and the results were released Thursday. The Columbia-Richland Fire Department won the competition with 211 donations over the Columbia Police Department, who collected 144 donations.
Officials with the American Red Cross say the two departments partnered with American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region for the third year. The drive resulted in a total of 355 presenting donors and 326 pints of blood collected.
“On behalf of the American Red Cross, we offer our sincere gratitude to the brave men and women of the Columbia Police Department and the Columbia-Richland Fire Department for the leadership they demonstrate each day in our community,” said Delisa English, American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local heroes, and we appreciate their hard work in making the third annual Boots & Badges blood drive such a success.”
All donors received a free "Boots and Badges" t-shirt, a Red Cross spirit cup and a chance to vote for "Boots" (firefighters) or "Badges" (police officers). Donors were entered for a chance to win lunch for two with Chief Randy Scott and Chief Aubrey Jenkins as well as a chance to win a $1,000 gift card through the Red Cross "Spring into Giving" promotion.
Each department will receive a tally for each unit of blood collected based on the donors' choice. The fire department will receive a commemorative plaque for winning.
Authorities say 383 units of blood were collected in 2011. The Columbia-Richland Fire Department won that competition as well with 236 donors.
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