ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville's first responders rolled up their sleeves for a friendly competition as the American Red Cross celebrated the 11th annual Battle of the Badges.

What You Need To Know

  • American Red Cross hosted the 11th annual Battle of the Badges in Buncombe County

  • Every pint of blood donated will save up to three people

  • The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office won this year's competition

 

Members of the community donated blood, and with each donation they cast their vote for their favorite agency.

"That can be Bumcombe County Sheriff's Office, Asheville Police Department, EMS, Asheville Fire Department, we have a number of different first responders," says Angie Tullis, a lieutenant for the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office criminal investigation unit.

But it's more than just a good-natured rivalry, the American Red Cross says every donation can help multiple people, and because of COVID-19, every donation will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies, and every participant gets a T-shirt.

While the event is fun in nature, Tullis, like the people at the American Red Cross, says her No. 1 career goal with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office is to save lives.

"When I finally became 18, they had a mobile unit that came to our school, and I just started, and I have given ever since," Tullis says.

But after being faced with troubling times, this year presented an additional reason to help those in need.

"In the fall of last year my husband, who is also a police officer, suddenly became very sick, and he was actually critical for a number of months and during that time he received multiple blood donations, so now it's even more important to me to give back to appreciate those who gave for him," Tullis says.

According to the American Red Cross, every pint donated will save up to three people.

"If they divide the donation into multiple units it can save more than one person," Tullis says.

After being on the force for 24 years, Tullis has no plans of stopping any time soon.

"I've always felt like it was something that we should do. We should give back to our community and take each one of these opportunities to save a life or at least improve a life," Tullis says.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office won this year's competition, collecting 44 votes. There were more than 160 people who came out to donate.