Donate blood, honor badge of your choice today in Manning

MANNING - The gauntlet has been tossed. Now, who will accept the challenge?

Hometown Heroes and The Inv. Holmes N. Smith Jr. Foundation Inc. have issued a challenge to all law enforcement agencies and fire departments in Clarendon County to determine which badge will win the "2018 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive."

Manning United Methodist Church, 17 E. Rigby St., will be the site of the challenge. Today from 1 to 6 p.m., deputies, policemen and firefighters have been asked to step up and give the gift of life by donating blood to the American Red Cross.

Friends and family members are also being encouraged to make a donation of blood in honor of the badge of their choice.

Not only will donors help choose the winner of the challenge, but they will also be helping individuals in need of lifesaving blood.

"We're all about helping our communities," said Tonia Mallett-Smith, executive director of The Holmes N. Smith Jr. Foundation Inc. "This is one way we can all step forward."

According to the American Red Cross:

- Every two seconds someone in the United States is in need of blood;.

- One donation has the potential of saving up to three lives;

- Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day;

- Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily;

- One single-car accident victim can require as much as 100 pints of blood;

- Red blood cells must be used within 42 days or less, while platelets must be used within five days; and

- Blood transfusions are vital for patients with sickle cell disease as well as some forms of cancer.