Eight years ago, we had a simple idea -- what if law enforcement, firefighters and EMS competed to see which group could collect the most blood during the holidays?

In 2003, we made this a reality and it has been a tradition in Ellis County ever since.

Thanks to dedicated committee members and blood donors, the battle of the badges has grown each year. Now, the American Red Cross Blood Services - Central Plains Region depends on the hundreds of units of blood raised during the battle to meet the needs of hospital patients throughout Kansas and northern Oklahoma.

The holidays are a difficult time of year to collect blood, and this fun competition gives law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics throughout Ellis County an added reason to donate a pint of blood during the last two weeks of December.

This year, a total of 251 units of whole blood were collected during the battle at the Hays Blood Donor Center from Dec. 13 to 30, and at Hays Medical Center on Dec. 22.

After hundreds of ballots were counted, this year's winner was EMS with 114 votes. This gives EMS five wins, fire two wins and law enforcement two wins. But the real winners this year are hospital patients throughout Kansas and northern Oklahoma.

Congratulations also to Rhonda Tutak, who gave blood during the battle and won a new iPad donated by Eagle Communications.

As we head into a new year, we encourage people throughout Kansas to consider becoming whole blood donors. January was a difficult month for blood collections, and we depend on people throughout this county to make it a point to give.

I would like to give a special thank you to Hays City Commission members and Mayor Barbara Wasinger. In addition, the Ellis County Commission and Chairman Swede Holmgren showed tremendous support throughout the campaign. The Hays Battle of the Badges campaign would not be a success without you.

Learn more about becoming a donor or make an appointment by calling (800) REDCROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Thank you for supporting this year's Battle of the Badges. Sincerely,

Ed Harbin, Ellis County Sheriff

Kerry McCue, Ellis County EMS Director

Don Scheibler, City of Hays Chief of Police

Gary Brown, City of Hays Fire Chief

Dick Klaus, Ellis County Rural Fire Chief