Photo courtesy of Gary Wadaga. This trophy will be presented to the winners of the First Annual Boots, Badges and Bandages Blood Drive Competition. First Responders and citizens can donate blood for the competition each year for UPHS Marquette's blood bank.

BARAGA — First responders and citizens throughout Baraga County will have their first annual Boots, Badges and Bandages Blood Drive competition is from 3 – 6 p.m. Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baraga Township Office. The competition is being put together by Bay Ambulance in response to a request from UP Health System Marquette to have a blood drive. Director of Bay Ambulance Gary Wadaga said the ambulance held a blood drive for UPHS Marquette in 2018, but would now like to make it an annual event and friendly competition.

“It seems like there’s always a critical shortage [of blood],” Wadaga said. “And all of the blood donated will go to the blood bank in Marquette. Obviously we need blood to survive and it is super, important when people have bleeding issues or if they suffer a traumatic event and go into shock that blood is available because that truly is something that’s going to save their life.”

Wadaga was trying to come up with a way to draw more people to consider donating blood, and the idea of a competition between first responders seemed to be a way to draw interest and be fun for those involved. Wadaga said nearly all first responders from Baraga County will participate. Some of the participants include Baraga and L’Anse Police Departments, Michigan State Police, Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police, Baraga Sheriff’s Department, L’Anse Fire Department and Bay Ambulance.

“It is a very friendly rivalry because obviously we get along super well and most of the calls we go on, either we’re helping them or they’re helping us. But we just decided to just try something so we called it the Boots, Badges and Bandages Blood Drive,” Wadaga said.

The team who donates the most blood will be awarded a traveling trophy and possess bragging rights until the next competition. Citizens who donate will choose which emergency response team their blood will count towards. Wadaga said the competition in the future might include a celebration or event to accompany the presentation of the trophy and likely change dates. He said the Ambulance would like to aim around Sept. 11 for the new date. This year a few minute trophy presentation will be made at the end of the competition.

While the competition adds something more to a regular blood drive, Wadaga still asks citizens to consider donating blood.

“It’s super, super important to medical and trauma patients. It probably takes a half hour out of your day and it’s out and out a real easy way to contribute and donate towards saving someone’s life,” he said.

After participants have made their blood donations there will be drinks and snacks available.