Blood collected during drive conducted by Carter BloodCare will save roughly 600 lives
Washington, DC – America’s Blood Centers (ABC), the national organization of community-based, independent blood centers that supply 60 percent of the nation’s blood supply, recognized HOSA chapters and state associations for outstanding achievements in the collection of blood at HOSA-Future Health Professionals’ 2023 International Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. These students organized blood drives with ABC member centers over the last year that resulted in more than 21,000 units of blood donated, 24,000 donors, and as many as 63,000 lives saved. A blood drive was also conducted by Carter BloodCare, a Texas-based ABC member blood center, throughout the three-day conference, which collected roughly 200 units of blood.
“We’re proud to recognize HOSA students, chapters, and state associations for their exceptional dedication and hard work in organizing blood drives across the country with ABC members centers over the past year. More than 24,000 HOSA students chose to give the gift of life by donating blood, knowing that each donation can save multiple lives. HOSA’s incredible achievements exemplify their commitment to improving healthcare, supporting the nation’s blood supply, and creating the next generation of lifelong donors,” said Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers.
“HOSA-Future Health Professionals is proud to promote blood drives around the country and recognize those members and chapters who went above and beyond for their community. We have been thrilled to witness the large turnout for donor recruitment this membership year and enjoyed partnering with America’s Blood Centers and Carter BloodCare to host an onsite blood drive at the 2023 International Leadership Conference,” said Sarah Walters, Executive Director, HOSA-Future Health Professionals.
“It is literally within each of us to make a positive difference by donating blood. HOSA donors are that positive difference for patients who urgently need transfusions,” said Clinton McCoy, Carter BloodCare’s Director of Mobile Donor Recruitment and Regional Operations. “By consistently donating blood to help others, health professionals of tomorrow are supporting community health today. Carter BloodCare is grateful for HOSA’s life-changing and lifesaving support.”
ABC and HOSA kicked off a multi-year national partnership last year to encourage blood donation and promote careers at community blood centers. As part of the partnership, ABC recognizes HOSA chapters and state 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.
The following winners received special recognition on stage during the event for winning nominations-based categories: Belleview High School in Florida, Dinuba High School in California, Southwest High School in California and Kentucky Blood Center were honored for their promotion of a blood drive. Angleton High School in Texas, Union County High School in Tennessee, and Sturgeon High School in Wisconsin were honored for their 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: Delaware (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 science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions. Since its inception in 1976, HOSA has grown steadily, reaching over 2.5 million members through 54 chartered HOSA Associations across the country and around the world. For more information, visit www.HOSA.org.
Carter BloodCare is an independent, community blood center providing transfusion resources to more than 200 medical facilities in 50-plus counties of North, Central and East Texas. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 440,000 blood products annually to meet hospitals’ requirements for their patients. Services include collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, storage and distribution of blood and blood products. To learn more, visit www.carterbloodcare.org.
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