American Red Cross of Knox County, Ohio

2011 Drive to Serve Scholarship

Giving a pint of blood or being a blood drive volunteer can give a high school student a chance to win a scholarship.

To honor and thank schools and students who show special commitment to the volunteer blood donor program and to community service, the Central Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross has created the “Drive to Serve Scholarship Program.” High schools in the 27-county blood region are eligible for a scholarship this school year if they hold at least three Red Cross blood drives producing an average of 25 donations between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011.

“We were very excited when a corporation in our community donated funds to start a scholarship program,” said Rodney Wilson, a spokesperson for the Central Ohio Region. “It’s one way we can show how much we appreciate the contributions of teens who help plan blood drives, give the gift of life, and serve as volunteers at the drives.”

“We also hope this reinforces to students that they can make a difference,” Wilson said. “Here in Central Ohio, we need the support of about 650 donors every day. The volunteer blood donation program touches countless lives.”

About the scholarship

The Drive to Serve Scholarship is funded through a grant to the American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region.

A student selected to receive the scholarship must have participated in at least one blood drive, either as a blood donor or as a volunteer. Other criteria for the scholarship can be set by the school and the local American Red Cross chapter representative(s).

Schools who host three blood drives that produce an average of 25-49 units will receive a $250 scholarship, and those whose blood drives produce an average of 50 or more units will receive a $500 scholarship. At any school eligible for a $500 scholarship, the school and the Red Cross representative coordinating the scholarship program may choose to award two $250 scholarships to two different eligible students. At schools who host four blood drives the scholarship amounts increase to $375 and $750 respectively.

For information on blood donation and a drive schedule, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or visit the Central Ohio Region’s Web site at redcrossblood.org.

How to donate blood

To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. If you are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), meet height and weigh requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height) and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present positive identification.