Battle of the Badges will be hosting its fifth annual blood drive on July 20-21. Nancy Upham, left, signs up to give blood with Whitney Aboytes, center, and Shannon Perez.
The newest round of Battle of the Badges is rapidly approaching with the winner to reclaim — or perhaps keep — bragging rights in a community blood drive.
The annual Battle of the Badges encourages residents to donate blood and then designate the receiving agency, either the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office or the Fallon Police Department, last year’s champion. This year’s blood drive has been expanded to two days, July 20 and 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Church of Latter-day Saints, 450 N. Taylor St.
Shannon Perez, one of the organizers, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Fallon and told members that this is the fifth annual blood draw. Because of community interest, the number of days has been increased from one to two. She said this is one of the biggest blood drives in the area, and the hard work has paid big dividends.
“Several years ago, I created our group which is a support of Ladies Behind the Badge,” said Perez, whose husband is a sergeant with the FPD.
Perez said the group includes spouses, significant others, girl or boy friends who help each other in their support of officers who either work for FPD or the CCSO.
“We spend many days together in support,” Perez said, citing those employed in law enforcement work long work hours. “We are a big support system.”
As a result of the camaraderie that's developed among them over the years, the Ladies Behind the Badge decided to hold a community event to increase community involvement with giving blood. Perez said Ladies Behind the Badge supports Vitalant, formerly known as United Blood Service.
“There’s a critical need for donating in our area,” she said. “About 150 pints of blood are needed each day in Northern Nevada.”
Perez said Vitalant is a great organization, and that’s why the Ladies Behind the Badge support the blood service. She noted the incentive of drawing blood next week. Those donating blood will receive a T-shirt, and three individuals will have the opportunity to win $3,000 gift cards provided by Vitalant.
During the previous four years, Perez said the competition has been friendly, and the winner has emerged with only three to four pints separating first and second place. Last year, Perez said people were turned away because all the slots had been filled.
“Fallon PPD is defending its title, and they received a nice trophy,” Perez said.
CCSO has also won the blood drive and has a trophy displayed by the department’s main door.
What began as a friendly rivalry to collect the most blood has also developed into a good support system. Whitney Aboytes said the group was very supportive when her husband, a FPD officer, deployed to Iraq with the Nevada Army National Guard.
Both Aboytes and Perez mentioned the support the group gave to Capt. John Frandsen when his wife died.
“We’ll do anything to help a family,” Aboytes said.
Perez said she’s completed trauma training and has helped others in the group. She said retired FPD Chief Kevin Gehman was very supportive in backing the group.
“If something happens, I don’t want to be alone,” Perez said.
Although the support group primarily consists of helping the FPD and CCSO, both ladies said if other local law enforcement agencies need assistance, they will be there to provide help and set up a support system.
To donate blood, individuals should call 775-329-6451 or go online to donors.vitalant.org and search blood drive code: FallonBattle.
