‘Heroes Behind the Badges’ blood drive kicks off

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - UPDATE, Jan. 5: With time running down in the 2021 “Heroes Behind the Badges” blood drive, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue holds a narrow lead in donations over the Sioux Falls Police Department.

As of Tuesday, 310 donations have been made for Fire Rescue, while 301 have been made for the police department.

The drive runs through Jan. 8.

During this season of giving you could make a life-saving donation.

The 25th annual “Heroes Behind the Badges” blood drive kicked off Monday in Sioux Falls. The drive is a competition between Sioux Falls Police and Firefighters to see who can get the most donations. All of the donations received stay in the area.

There is one significant change this year. Due to COVID-19, you will need to schedule an appointment.

“Our goal is to fill up our schedule so that we can optimize and maximize the potential for collections during this event. Our hope is to collect 1,000 units of blood during this time and basically supply the two weeks between Christmas and New Year’s,” says Community Blood Bank Executive Director Ken Versteeg.

As of Tuesday, the Sioux Falls Police Department has received 97 donations and Sioux Falls Fire Rescue received 61 donations. The Community Blood Bank says the life-saving donations will help 474 people.

The blood drive runs until January 8th. You can find a list of times and places below. cbblifeblood.org/register/

Wednesday, December 30 at Scheels All Sport (41st St. & Western Ave) between 9 am to 1 pm and 2:30 to 5 pm
Thursday, December 31 at Fire House Subs (3504 W. 41st St.) between 11 am to 3 pm
Thursday, December 31 at Fire House Subs (5200 Arrowhead Pkwy) between 11 am to 3 pm
Saturday, January 2 at Remedy Brewing Co. (401 E. 8th St. #120) between 11 am to 4 pm
Monday, January 4 at JJ’s Wine & Spirits (3000 W. 57th St.) between 9 am to 5 pm
Wednesday, January 6 at Midwest Communications (500 S. Phillips Ave) between 6 am to 10 am
Wednesday, January 6 at Washington Pavilion (301 S. Main Ave) between 12 pm to 4 pm
Friday, January 8 at Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Headquarters (2820 S.Minnesota Ave) between 8 am to 10:30 am and 12 pm to 4 pm
Friday, January 8 at Sioux Falls Police Dept. Headquarters (320 W. 4th St.) between 8 am to 10:30 am and 12 pm to 4 pm
Avera McKennan: Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m. or Friday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sanford USD Medical Center: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm or Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm