The Southeastern Michigan branch of the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive on Thursday, Aug. 18 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Costick Center at 28600 Eleven Mile Rd. between Middlebelt and Inkster in Farmington Hills.

This blood drive will be the annual “Battle of the Badges,” a friendly competition between the Farmington Hills Police and Fire Departments. Donors can cast a “vote” with their blood donation to help raise the tally of either department.

During the summer, there is always a significant decrease in the number of blood donations while there is an increase in the need for blood. August is traditionally the most difficult month to collect donations and local inventories often fall to critically low levels.

All blood types are needed, with Type O in especially high demand since it can be transfused to patients in other blood groups and is used in most emergency trauma cases when a patient’s blood type isn’t known.

Hospitals in southeastern Michigan require over 900 units of blood each day to meet patient needs. Thousands of patients in nearly 70 Michigan hospitals are dependent on blood for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, for surgeries and organ transplants, and for emergency and trauma care.

To make an appointment to donate on Aug. 18, go to redcrossblood.org. Enter the sponsor code "costickcenter" and follow the instructions to set up an appointment time for the blood drive. To check on the status of your appointment, go to givelife.org/sitecoordinator and use the password "rrebtoy".

Giving blood takes about an hour. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 lbs., and be 17 years of age or older. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or 1-888-288-2525 or visit givelife.org to learn more.