During the second annual Pearl River County Battle of the Badges, 28 units of blood were collected from emergency responders across the county.
Kristi Womack, a recruiter for The Blood Center, said the Picayune Police Department was awarded this year’s trophy, after donating 11 units on Wednesday.
The blood drive was held this week to meet the high demand for blood donations around the Gulf Coast during the Mardi Gras season, previous coverage states.
Recent reports of people being injured in New Orleans and Gulf Shores during the Mardi Gras celebrations, provide evidence of the need for blood during the holiday seson.
On Wednesday, the Poplarville Fire and Pearl River County Sheriff’s departments tied for second place, with five donations each, Womack said.
The Poplarville Police Department had four donations, the Picayune Fire Department had two and Pearl River County volunteer fire departments had one total, she said.
From each blood donation, $5 was given to the Puttin’ on the Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, Womack said, who hopes to hold an official check presentation next week.
Last year, the drive collected 74 units of blood, with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department collecting the most at 21 units, previous coverage states.
While the holiday and inclement weather may have been a deterrent during this year’s drive, Womack said she is thankful for everyone that came out to support it.