Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall giving blood at the 2020 Music City Battle of the Badges blood drive.
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office were declared the winners of the 2020 Music City Battle of the Badges, presented by Ascension Saint Thomas held July 20 at Cornerstone Church Nashville, in Madison.
Based on presenting donor votes, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office received 425 votes, (exceeding last year’s vote totals by 26), the Nashville Fire Department received 174 votes and the Metro Nashville Police Department received 221 votes, for a grand total of 820 votes. (All presenting donors were allowed to vote for their favorite badge during the competition.)
Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition between first responder groups to encourage community members to donate blood or platelets. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office recruited the most donors. They were presented the Music City Battle of the Badges plaque.
“Summer can be a challenging time to meet the constant demand for lifesaving blood and platelet donations,” said Tiffany Taylor, external communications manager of the Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “We’re grateful for all those who donated in this year’s competition.”
The Red Cross currently faces an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in,” said Taylor. “More donations are immediately needed to help replenish the blood supply.”
The Music City Battle of the Badges marks a 12-year partnership with the Red Cross. Supporting law enforcement and fire personnel, while helping to save lives through blood donation, is a long-standing tradition that resonates more during a public health crisis.
“The Music City Battle of the Badges is much more than bragging rights between our agencies and this year, it feels even more impactful,” said Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall. “Donating is easy, and in the eight to 10 minutes it takes to donate a pint of blood you could save up to three lives.”
The Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies for a limited time, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. Donors will be able to view their results 7-10 days after donation through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or at RedCrossBlood.org. (The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.)
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
