The 11^th Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Challenge continues with Fire still maintaining the lead.  But, Police are catching up – and there is still plenty of time. The following is the current vote count for the challenge.  The Battle runs through July 9 at the Lansing Donor Center and select community drives in the Tri-county area.  Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: battle2011.   The need for blood is constant; but summer holidays put additional demands on the local supply.  The Battle of the Badges began more than a decade ago to help collect blood during the difficult summer months.  Although many people have donated blood to help with this summer’s critically low local supply, significantly more blood donors are urgently needed as soon as possible.  The local American Red Cross is unable to fill all hospital requests in a timely manner. The Red Cross is asking even those who have not donated in a while -- as well as those who have never donated -- to please try and help now.

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Every presenting donor during the challenge will receive a goody bag that includes a Red Cross t-shirt, discount on tickets to Michigan International Speedway, coupons from local retailers - such as Cottage Inn, Grand Traverse Pie Co., the Lansing City Market, and Iorio’s Gelateria - and other donated items. 

Donors will also have a chance to win Common Ground passes, a $500 Best Buy gift card, a $125 Meijer gas card and a $250 Meijer gift card.  ‘Like’ the challenge on Facebook (facebook.com/GLRBattle) and you could win a special Red Cross gift!