Red Cross collects 136 pints of blood; RCPD wins annual Battle of the Badges blood drive

The annual Battle of the Badges blood drive wrapped up Tuesday at St. Thomas More Church with the Red Cross collecting 136 pints of blood.

While falling short of its goal of 210 pints, Red Cross spokesperson Kristi Ingalls tells KMAN they appreciate the support they received and noted the blood collected will help up to 408 patients in need.

The annual blood drive pits local first responders in a friendly competition to collect votes for best agency. This year the trophy will go to the Riley County Police Department, which collected 52 votes, beating out Riley County EMS and the Manhattan Fire Department.

Riley County EMS had 49 votes. MFD finished with 46 votes.

RCPD has now won the trophy nine times. MFD has won 10 times and Riley County EMS has won four times, including a three-peat in 2013, 2014 and 2015.