America’s Blood Centers Honors HOSA Students and Leaders for Lifesaving Contribution to the Blood Supply
2024年7月3日 - 4:13AM
America’s Blood Centers (ABC), the national organization of
community-based, independent blood centers that supply 60 percent
of the nation’s blood supply, recently celebrated HOSA chapters and
state associations for their exceptional efforts in blood
collection at the HOSA-Future Health Professionals’ 2024
International Leadership Conference in Houston, Texas. This
partnership with community blood centers resulted in more than
33,000 donors and more than 30,000 units of blood this academic
year, with each of these donations having the potential to save
multiple lives. At a time when the overall number of young donors
is dramatically decreasing nationwide, HOSA students recorded an
astounding 43% more total donations than they did in the
preceding year. A blood drive was also conducted by Gulf Coast
Regional Blood Center throughout the three-day event, which
collected more than 384 units of blood.
"We are honored to celebrate the extraordinary commitment of
HOSA students, chapters, and chartered associations in hosting
blood drives with community blood centers this academic year. Their
efforts resulted in more than 33,000 people donating blood,
significantly strengthening the nation’s blood supply at a critical
time. We are proud that our partnership with HOSA is helping
install a culture of lifelong giving while building the next
generation of blood donors,” said Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood
Centers.
“HOSA is delighted with its partnership with America’s Blood
Centers and is proud of the work done by Gulf Coast Regional Blood
Center at HOSA’s International Leadership Conference,” said Karen
Koeninger, Interim Executive Director of HOSA. “HOSA members have a
strong desire to give back to their community as part of their
career pathway to be a future health professional and ABC is an
important part of their professional growth!”
“Our team is still buzzing about the HOSA ILC last week. The
students and advisors left a piece of themselves in Houston through
the 384 units donated over the three-day blood drive. We serve the
largest medical center in the world and are incredibly grateful for
the generous donations made to Houston area patients. We are
appreciative of HOSA’s donations and ongoing advocacy for blood
donations around the world,” said Kevin Shipley, Director of Donor
Recruitment and Customer Experience at Gulf Coast Regional Blood
Center.
ABC and HOSA kicked off a multi-year national partnership in
2022 to encourage blood donation and promote careers at community
blood centers. As part of the partnership, ABC recognizes HOSA
chapters and chartered associations for outstanding achievements in
the collection of blood at HOSA’s annual International Leadership
Conference. All HOSA chapters were recognized throughout the event
for their extraordinary commitment to blood donation and supporting
the nation’s blood supply.
Southwest High School in San Diego, California received special
recognition on stage during the event for its promotion of a blood
drive and Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria, Arizona was
recognized for its work holding a blood drive during a time of
critical need. In addition, the following state associations were
honored on stage for recruiting the most donors in their category:
Hawaii (Small Chartered Association), South Carolina (Medium
Chartered Association), and Texas (Large Chartered
Association).
Founded in 1962, America’s Blood Centers is the national
organization bringing together community-based, independent blood
centers. Its member organizations operate more than 600 blood
collection sites providing close to 60 percent of the U.S., and a
quarter of the Canadian, blood supply. These blood centers serve
more than 150 million people and provide blood products and
services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities
across North America. All ABC U.S. members are licensed and
regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more
information, visit www.AmericasBlood.org.
HOSA-Future Health Professionals provides a unique program of
leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for
secondary, postsecondary, middle school, adult, and collegiate
students enrolled in health and biomedical science programs or have
interests in pursuing careers in health professions. Since its
inception in 1976, HOSA has grown steadily, reaching over 3.2
million members through 54 chartered HOSA Associations across the
country and around the world. For more information, visit
www.HOSA.org.
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is the sole provider of blood
and blood components 24/7 to more than 170 hospitals and health
care facilities in a 26-county Texas Gulf Coast region. Gulf Coast
Regional Blood Center is a nonprofit organization accredited by the
Food and Drug Administration. For more information or to help save
lives, visit www.giveblood.org.
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- Photo from Recognition Event at the International Leadership
Conference
Jeff Gohringer
America’s Blood Centers
(202) 654-2901
jgohringer@americasblood.org