The 16th annual Battle of the Badges blood drive is coming to Buncombe County, offering community members a chance to support local heroes and make a life-saving contribution. This friendly competition pits local law enforcement and emergency responders against each other to see who can donate the most blood.
Event Details
The Battle of the Badges blood drive will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church's Gymnasium in downtown Asheville. The event features first responders from the Asheville Fire Department, Asheville Police Department, Buncombe County Emergency Medical Service, Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, and North Carolina Highway Patrol.
How to Participate
Appointments are required for all donors. Community members can schedule their donation by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or using the Blood Donor App. When scheduling, use the sponsor codeAVLBattleOfBadges (case-sensitive).
To be eligible, donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good health. Donors should bring a blood donor card, driver's license, or two other forms of identification. High school students 18 and younger need to meet height/weight requirements.
To save time, donors can use RapidPass at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass to complete their pre-donation health history online before arriving.
Incentives
All donors will receive food from local Asheville restaurants, a $20 e-gift card (via email, seller of choice), and a limited-edition Battle of the Badges t-shirt, while supplies last.
Community Impact
Organized in partnership with the American Red Cross, the Battle of the Badges drive addresses winter blood supply challenges, such as canceled drives due to weather and donor ineligibility because of illness. Last year, the event collected 137 pints of blood, with the Asheville Police Department winning the competition. The importance of readily available blood in emergencies is emphasized by first responders.
Support your local heroes by donating blood and voting for your favorite team. Appointments are expected to fill quickly.