By Sabrina SHELTON

A pandemic is no reason to forego donating precious blood for those in need.

The New Year often prompts the urge to do better and be better. Either by helping oneself with healthy habits and care, or by assisting those in need, this time of year offers the world a reset. Right now, the Crescenta Valley has the chance to help out at the annual Battle of the Badges. What sounds like a Thunderdome-style throwdown is actually California law enforcement competing to see which agency can bring in the most blood donations through the American Red Cross.

Of course, this year will look slightly different than previous years, but that doesn’t mean it is any less important. The CV Sheriff’s Station is hosting the event with a little less pomp and circumstance but with plenty of health and safety procedures.

        “This [Battle of the Badges] is not the typical big kick-off that we normally do with the Red Cross,” said Deputy Maryann Martin, community officer of LASD’s CV Station. “Therefore, we are not certain the Battle of the Badge will be as big as usual.”

Deputy Martin has donated blood during the pandemic and said that, although donors are not required to have a COVID-19 test prior to giving blood, they are required to wear a mask during the donation process.

Many blood drives were canceled in 2020, so the need for blood is even greater now. Deputy Martin mentioned that the Battle of the Badges focuses on law enforcement’s need for donor blood as well. Recently, an LAPD officer shot in the line of duty needed two units of blood. Consequently, this drive is all the more personal for the CV Sheriff’s Station.

        “The Red Cross needs the ongoing support of blood donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are available for patients,” stated Marilyn Jimenez Davila, regional communications manager of the Los Angeles region of the American Red Cross. In addition, donors may now benefit from giving blood by receiving COVID-19 antibody tests.

        “The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies to help provide our valued donors insight into whether they may have been exposed to this coronavirus during this ongoing pandemic,” Jimenez Davila explained. “Donors can expect the results of their antibody test within one to two weeks through the Red Cross blood donor app or on the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.”

Deputy Martin was a blood transfusion recipient herself, and is grateful for those who have donated. Now, with a positive antibody test, “plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions,” Jimenez Davila said.

The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive will be on Thursday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station is located at 4554 Briggs Ave. in La Crescenta. Those who are eligible and are feeling well can make an appointment on the Red Cross blood donor app, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling (800) RED-CROSS.