Lubbock Blood Bank Hits Critical Low as Badges Drive Starts Slow

Lubbock's blood supply has reached critically low levels as local first responders kick off the annual Battle of the Badges blood drive this week at South Plains Mall.

The event pits the Lubbock Police Department and the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office against Lubbock Fire Rescue in a friendly competition to see which agency can inspire the most community members to donate blood.

Organizers say turnout has been slower than expected compared with previous years, raising concerns as hospitals face increased seasonal demand.

"It's been a little bit harder for some reason this year, I think, with all blood drives," Vitalant Senior Account Manager Stephanie Pointer said. "But it seems like especially we haven't had the push at this one that we have in years past."

Pointer said the Battle of the Badges blood drive was created 11 years ago to help replenish supplies during one of the most challenging periods for blood collection.

Summer vacations and school breaks typically reduce donations from students and regular donors, while trauma cases often increase during warmer months.

"A lot of times in the summer months, we lose a lot of high school and college donors," Pointer said. "People go on vacations and take time off."

At the same time, hospitals continue to require blood for trauma patients, surgeries and cancer treatments, placing additional strain on available supplies.

Vitalant officials said donations from people with Type O blood are especially needed this year because the blood type is commonly used in emergency situations when there is no time to determine a patient's blood type.

Local first responders said the need for blood donations is something they witness regularly while serving the community.

"So 70 percent of our calls are medical calls," Lubbock Fire Rescue firefighter Zeth Hernandez said. "Just being able to come in here and give blood, because we might see a couple traumas a day."

Lubbock County Sheriff's Deputy Alexis Brown said supporting blood drives is another way first responders serve the public outside emergency calls.

"It's all interconnected," Brown said. "Taking the time when we have it to do events like this and show up is part of the service, as well as answering the 911 call."

The annual competition also comes with local bragging rights.

"We are the best in blue," Brown said, while Hernandez encouraged donors to support firefighters in the friendly rivalry.

The blood drive continues through Sunday, July 19, from noon to 6 p.m. at South Plains Mall near Pretzelmaker. Donations take about 45 minutes and require a valid photo ID.

Donors will receive a free T-shirt, two movie tickets, and two popcorn vouchers, while adult donors will also be entered into a drawing to win a vehicle.

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