Battle of the Badges 2026

A Battle for the Ages (Oops, we mean badges!)

Every year, We Are Blood teams up with local first responder agencies for the Battle of the Badges blood drive challenge. This event is rooted in friendly competition between first responder agencies, encouraging donors to cast a vote for who should take home this year’s trophy, with the real winner being our community!

Starting Thursday, June 25 and concluding Sunday, July 5, Battle of the Badges aims to inspire blood donations throughout the community, ensuring our local blood supply can support Central Texas patients and their families over the 4th of July weekend.

Every day, We Are Blood works diligently to meet the growing needs of local hospitals. Over holidays, demands for blood and platelet transfusions can often increase. On top of that, the summer months are an especially difficult time as blood donations typically drop due to vacations, schools being out, and other summer plans shaking up regular routines.

Let the Battle Begin

Roll up your sleeves and donate blood or platelets at one of our four donor centers or Battle of the Badges mobiles drives (full schedule below) between June 25-July 5 to cast your vote for your favorite first responder agency. When you do, you’ll receive your own, limited edition, 2026 Battle of the Badges t-shirt! The team with the most votes and donations will receive this year’s trophy and a year’s worth of bragging rights!

Mobile Drive Schedule 

Thursday, June 25

• Criminal Juice Center | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• AFD Pleasant Valley Wellness Center | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• ATCEMS Educational Development & Wellness Division | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• APD Recruiting (Rutherford Ln) | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Friday, June 26

• APD – TechniCenter | 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• APD – HQ | 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monday, June 29

• AFD – Station #49 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• AFD – Station #38 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, June 30

• APD – Robert Martinez East Substation | 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• AFD – Permitting Development Center | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• TCSO – Keith G. Ruiz Building | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• APD Public Safety Training Campus | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, July 1

• AFD – Station #53 | 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Austin City Hall | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• TCSO – West Command | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• APD – Robert Martinez East Substation | 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 2

• APD – Clinton Hunter South Substation | 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• AFD – HQ | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Friday, July 3

• APD – Jaime Padron North Substation | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• APD – Clinton Hunter South Substation | 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 4

• APD – HQ | 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Rudy’s BBQ (620) | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Sunday, July 5

• AFD – Station #25 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Rudy’s BBQ (183) | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.