Last year, area law enforcement agencies edged area fire departments in the number of blood donors brought in during the three-day Battle of the Badges blood drive. Now, the officers have to defend their title in the second annual event.

Last year's event brought in 327 potential donors, with 116 of them pledging support to law enforcement. Of the 327 people to show up at the blood drive, 230 were able to donate blood, leading to 282 units of blood being donated, Dessie Baxter, donor recruitment manager for United Blood Services, said.

"It's the largest blood drive in Bismarck, by far," Baxter said, noting that about 15 people participate in the average blood drive in the area.

The blood drive again will be held in the I-Keating wing of Kirkwood Mall. The drive will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

Since last year's Battle of the Badges, similar events have been held in Dickinson, Minot, Fargo and Aberdeen, S.D., Baxter said. Law enforcement and firefighters have jumped on board with the drives, which "far exceeded our expectations," she said.

Baxter said 300 units of blood are needed daily in North Dakota to keep up with the needs of the 73 hospitals for which United Blood Services supplies blood. On average, 90 percent of people will need blood transfusions during their lifetime, but only 5 percent donate blood, she said.

Bringing more than 300 people to last year's blood drive was a good start, but organizers are aiming for at least 400 donors this year.

While the firefighters came up short last year in the donor count, they won a tug-of-war contest against police officers. This year, the teams will compete again in tug-of-war and also in pie-eating and basketball shooting contests at 11:45 Thursday, Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The teams aren't necessarily organized, but Baxter said around 50 people were on hand around noon each day last year.

"They just kind of show up,"she said of the event volunteers.

Potential donors can make an appointment for the drive by calling United Blood Services at 255-3520 or going to www.bloodhero.com and using the sponsor code Badges2.

Donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Photo identification cards are required to donate blood, and donors ages 16 or 17 must have parental consent.

Baxter said the issue of blood supplies affects many people. She said she and her daughter needed blood transfusions three years ago Tuesday, when her daughter was born.

"You never know when you're going to need it," she said.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)