On this episode of the 260, we sit down with Zak, a strategic business planning manager with the Red Cross, to dig into the spirit behind the annual Battle of the Badges. It’s the friendly competition where fire, police, and EMS each rally their supporters to donate blood and earn bragging rights. We explore why the event is fun, what makes blood donation meaningful, and what a donation experiences from the moment it leaves your arm to the moment it reaches someone who needs it. Plus, we talk about how the tradition took shape and why people look forward to it each year. Join us for a mix of heart, humor, and healthy rivalry