POSTED: Monday, August 6, 2012 --- 12:35 p.m.

From the City of Fitchburg:

The Fitchburg Police Department has challenged the Fitchburg Fire Department in a blood drive for the American Red Cross. The blood drive runs from August 9, 2012 until September 11, 2011. It’s the “Battle of the Badges Blood Drive”. Members of the police and fire departments are encouraged to recruit family members, friends, and the general public to donate blood on their behalf.

Our kick off drive is August 9, 2012 at the Fitchburg Community Center from 6am until 11am. It then moves to Tri-North Builders from 11am until 4pm. If a person wants to donate blood for this drive and are unable to attend this schedule date there are other options. Supporters can donate at any Red Cross Blood Drive in the United States during the two month drive. The person needs to tell the Red Cross they are participating in the Fitchburg Police and Fire Blood Drive and your department gets credit for the donation.

A person can donate blood every 56 days. So, if you can’t decide which department to support you can first donate on behalf of the police department, then 56 days later, donate for the fire department.

If you donate on August 9 at the Fitchburg Community Center or Tri-North you will receive a t-shirt.