OGDENSBURG -- A “Battle of the Badges” is being waged in honor of Stephanie McKeel, a Massena Central senior who has been fighting cystic fibrosis.

In this friendly competition, local fire, law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel see who can recruit the most eligible donors in their community to donate blood.

McKeel’s father, Shawn McKeel, is a corrections officer at the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility.

“Stephanie was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was a month shy of turning seven years old,” said Shawn McKeel. “Last October, she became very ill. Her lungs were failing. She recently received a double lung transplant, which required blood transfusions.”

“Having a blood drive in Stephanie’s honor is our way of giving back to the community,” added Lisa McKeel, Stephanie’s mother. “We are grateful for all the donors who gave blood. Without them, Stephanie could not undergo this important operation that saved her life.”

People can join the drive by donating on June 20 from from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, QWL Building, 642 County Route 28A.

Donors’ blood donations will help decide who among the competing organizations wins bragging rights.

“EMS, fire and law enforcement units know firsthand how important it is to have blood readily available for emergencies,” said Red Cross District Manager Jennifer Sinclair of New York-Penn Blood Services Region. “By hosting this blood drive, they are helping ensure that blood is on the shelves before it is needed.”

Participating organizations include Ogdensburg and Riverview correctional facilties, St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Organ Donor Registry Program, Ogdensburg Police Department, Ogdensburg Fire Department, Ogdensburg Rescue, New York State Police, U.S. Customs & Border Protection - Ogdensburg (Department of Homeland Security), St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Public Safety, Lisbon Fire & Rescue, Heuvelton Fire Department, Waddington Fire and Waddington Rescue

People can make appointments through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 and use keyword “lungsoflove.”

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Those who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.