The New York Blood Center (NYBC) offers scholarships for high school students who initiate and coordinate successful community blood drives. This challenging but rewarding experience fosters a strong foundation in community service, leadership and supervisory skills. Blood donation saves lives – up to three people per pint of whole blood. At high schools willing to host two blood drives per school year, a $250 scholarship will be awarded to one student organizer.

At high schools holding three drives per school year, two scholarships at $250 each will be awarded. High school students who independently organize and introduce a new blood drive within their community may earn a $250 scholarship if the drive yields at least 30 blood donations and $500 if that blood drive yields 50 or more blood donations.

In all cases, scholarships are made payable to the college or trade school of the student’s choice. Cumulatively, students’ efforts have aided thousands of patients in need. More than 7,780 units of blood were donated as a direct result of students who organized community blood drives in 2009, and more than 233 student blood drives were held regionally during times when need was most critical, such as peak summer and winter times.

Every two seconds, someone needs blood. You can help patients in need by donating blood or organizing a blood drive within your community, house of worship, or place of work. NYBC will help every step of the way, so please help make a difference in the lives of patients. People can give blood every 56 days.

To schedule your very own blood drive in the Hudson Valley please contact, Andrea Cefarelli at 914-784-4639, or email her at acefarelli@nybloodcenter.org. If you cannot donate but still wish to participate in bringing lifesaving products to people in need, please consider volunteering at a local blood drive.

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during the winter holiday and summer periods. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level.

Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People age 76 and over may donate with a doctor’s note.

To donate blood, please call:
Toll Free:  1-800-933-2566
Visit:  http://www.nybloodcenter.org/