It is not what you would call a real blood feud, although some blood will be spilled.

A friendly rivalry between firefighters and police officers in Hinsdale could result in a healthy supply of blood for area residents as representatives from both departments rolled up their sleeves Thursday, Oct. 1 to donate blood as part of the Boots vs. Badges Blood Drive.

Hinsdale Fire Chief Mike Kelly and police officer Michael Coughlin kicked off the blood drive with the first pints of blood donated at the Adventist Hinsdale Hospital Blood Center.

“We’ve participated in this for the last few years and have always had a friendly rivalry with the Police Department,” Kelly said. “The better benefit, however, is that it secures donations for the hospital’s blood center, which in turn benefits all area residents.”

As part of the drive, anyone donating blood through Oct. 31 will be asked to vote for either the Hinsdale Fire Department or the Hinsdale Police Department, with the department collecting the most votes declared the winner.

“The Fire Department has won the last few times we competed at this, but I can assure you we will win this one,” said Deputy Police Chief Kevin Simpson.

Some personnel from both departments donate blood, but the bulk of the donations come from individuals who vote for either department.

“It’s not just our own people, it’s the people donors who choose either the fire department or the police department that make this a fun competition,” Kelly said.

Hospital officials said the blood center needs donations to re-stock its supply.

“We are at a critical low for blood donors,” said Janice Rosacrans, the Adventist Hinsdale Hospital Blood Center donor recruiter. “One pint of blood can save up to three lives, and because the blood we collect stays in the community, a donor may save the life of a neighbor, friend or family member.”

Blood collected during the drive can be used at all Adventist hospitals, including Hinsdale, La Grange Memorial, Bolingbrook and GlenOaks, Rosacrans said.