The Minot community is invited to rally behind its local heroes at this year’s Minot Battle of the Badges, taking place Monday through Thursday, May 19-22, from noon-6 p.m. each day at The Grand Hotel, 1505 N Broadway, in Minot.

Donors are encouraged to cast their vote for either Team Law or Team Fire when they give blood, with the winning team earning community bragging rights for the year. Participants will also receive a free Battle of the Badges T-shirt, while supplies last, according to Vitalant.

Those who give blood with nonprofit Vitalant in May will not only help save lives of patients but as a special thank you, Vitalant will draw two names to win a trip to Universal Epic Universe, including four tickets to the theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, travel vouchers for airfare and hotel accommodations, and a $2,500 prepaid gift card.

Blood donations are needed every day to maintain an adequate supply for patients, but especially leading up to the summer months when school and office blood drives are less common. But hospitals don’t see a break in patient needs, which average every two seconds in the United States, according to Vitalant.

Donors of all blood types are constantly needed, especially type O. Type O is the most transfused and is able to help the most patients in emergencies.