Donation Through Education

As a community-based not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, we're firmly convinced that instilling a sense of community service begins at a young age. Turning young children into responsible adults who have a strong sense of belonging to their communities is an educational process. To that end, we've developed a several programs. Our Donation Through Education program begins with younger children, in elementary and middle school grades. We can present a fun-filled workshop with songs and coloring books that instill the message that donating blood helps save other people's lives. In addition to encouraging schools to invite us to visit their classrooms, we also urge them to participate by holding a blood drive for parents and teachers.

Since many high schools already teach blood basics, our program recruits juniors and seniors, encouraging them to donate blood. These high school blood drives are some of the most successful blood drives that we hold. We find that teenagers are enthusiastic, motivated and willing to encourage their friends to donate.

For both groups — elementary/middle schools and high schools — we offer a scholarship incentive program. We provide Lifesaver Scholarship Awards based on the number of units of blood that we collect throughout a specific school year.

Basically, what the students learn is that there is no substitute for blood, each whole blood donation can save up to 3 lives and that donating blood is an ongoing way to give something back to their communities. It doesn't cost the blood donor anything except an hour of his or her time. And for our schools, the rewards can be profitable.

To find out more about our Donation Through Education and how we can partner with your schools, please contact our Manager of Recruitment, Dino DiStefano at ddistefano@communitybloodcouncil.org.