ROCKFORD, Ill. (March 12, 2026) – The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) is hosting three community blood drives this month and inviting the community to join in efforts to strengthen the region’s blood supply. Stateline Battle of the Badges is scheduled for March 17, the Rockford Remembers Blood Drive from March 23-27, and the IceHogs – Hockey Fans Out for Blood Drive on March 25.

The Stateline Battle of the Badges – March 17

The Roscoe and Rockton Fire Departments are teaming up with RRVBC in a friendly competition at the 2026 Stateline Battle of the Badges on Tuesday, March 17, from noon to 6:00 p.m. Community members are encouraged to visit either the Roscoe or Rockton Fire Departments and roll up their sleeves and donate blood. The department with the most donations will earn bragging rights and a traveling plaque.

To thank community members for their life-saving contributions, successful donors will be gifted a coupon for a free pint of Culver’s ice cream.

Fire Department locations:

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department: 10544 Main Street, Roscoe, IL 61073
Rockton: 201 N Blackhawk Blvd, Rockton, IL 61072

Rockford Remembers Memorial Blood Drive – March 23-27

 

The Rockford Post Office and RRVBC are partnering for the Rockford Remembers Blood Drive to honor the victims and survivors of the two deadly stabbings that occurred on March 27, 2024, including postal worker Jay Larson. The blood drive will take place at all four RRVBC donation sites from Monday, March 23, through Friday, March 27.

Donations will be collected at the following site locations:

Downtown Rockford: 418 N. Longwood Street, Rockford

Perryville: 3065 North Perryville Road, Rockford

Belvidere: 1740 South State Street, Belvidere

Freeport: 461 East South Street, Freeport

 

IceHogs – Hockey Fans Out for Blood – March 25

RRVBC and the Rockford IceHogs are teaming up to rally hockey fans to donate blood on Wednesday, March 25, from noon to 6:00 p.m. in the BMO ticketing lobby. All successful donors will receive two free tickets to the IceHogs game on April 4.

Donors will also be entered into a raffle for the grand prize basket, which includes:

  • A hockey stick signed by the IceHogs
  • Drew Commesso Bobblehead
  • IceHogs hat
  • All-Star Classic puck

Walk-ins are welcome for all March blood drives. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit rrvbc.org or contact (815) 965-8751.

AboutRock River Valley Blood Center
The Rock River Valley Blood Center is your community blood center and is the only provider of blood products and services to Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton, Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center-Janesville, Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center-Harvard, Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center-Walworth, Mercyhealth Hospital and Physician Clinic-Crystal Lake, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital, UW SwedishAmerican Carbone Cancer Center, SwedishAmerican Medical Center-Belvidere, Beloit Health System, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, FHN-Freeport and Rochelle Community Hospital. The center has four convenient donor centers in Rockford, Freeport, and Belvidere, and the ability to support up to three mobile drives a day. The Rock River Valley Blood Center ensures that the right blood type is available at the right time for local patients whose lives may depend on it. Patients and their families rely on individuals to provide life-giving red blood cells, plasma, and platelets through blood donation.

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