SALT LAKE CITY — High school and college students can help save lives and be eligible to win a scholarship of up to $2,500 by hosting an American Red Cross blood drive between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15, 2016.
“Winter is a difficult time to collect enough blood to meet patient needs with inclement weather and seasonal illnesses reducing the number of volunteer donors that come out to give,” said Red Cross spokesperson Kimberly Houk. “Our Leaders Save Lives program gives students an opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills and help ensure blood is available for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions by recruiting their friends and family to give blood.”
Students who host a drive can be eligible to win a scholarship up to $2,500 for higher education and earn a gift card.
A total of six scholarships will be awarded to students who host a blood drive collecting 25 blood donations or more. All students who collect at least 25 pints at their blood drive will receive a gift card to giftcertificates.com.
The program, Leaders Save Lives, encourages community-minded high school and college students to host blood drives to help maintain the blood supply around the winter holidays. Blood donations made at high school, university and college blood drives account for as much as 20 percent of blood donations through the Red Cross.
Around the winter holidays, when school is not in session, blood donations often decline.
Registration and other information on a Leaders Save Lives blood drive is available online.
How to donate blood
The free Blood Donor App — available in app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 — not only makes appointment scheduling easy, but donors can also access their digital donor card and be notified when their donation is distributed to a hospital.
Donors can also visit the Red Cross website or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals 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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
Resources
- Red Cross website | Twitter
- Registration and other information on a Leaders Save Lives blood drive is available online
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