EASTERN SHORE STUDENTS TO BE HONORED FOR BREAKING BLOOD DONATION RECORDS
SALISBURY, MD - Blood Bank of Delmarva will hold an awards luncheon on Wednesday, October 14 from Noon to 1:30pm at Brew River Restaurant and Bar in Salisbury (504 W. Main Street) to recognize thirteen high schools in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties for their lifesaving contributions to the record-breaking 2008-2009 School Blood Drive Program. This luncheon is attended by students and school advisors who will play a major role in organizing high school blood drives during the 2009-2010 season, the 25th anniversary of the School Program.
A separate luncheon will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from Noon to 1:30pm at the Waterview Grille at The Easton Club (28449 Clubhouse Drive in Easton) to recognize the five high schools in Talbot, Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne's Counties.
Students at Eastern Shore high schools contributed 1,152 units of blood to the School Program last year. Seventy-five high schools and colleges across the Peninsula held more blood drives than ever before, resulting in a record number of blood donations. A total of 6,909 blood donations were collected at 119 school blood drives from September 2008 to May 2009 - up nearly 3.5% from 6,684 donations the previous school year.
The following schools took top honors for the largest number of blood donors:
Lower Eastern Shore:
First Place - Salisbury Christian School - 109 donors
Second Place - Parkside High School - 106 donors
Third Place - Wicomico High School - 101 donors
Upper Eastern Shore:
First Place - Colonel Richardson High School - 130 donors
Second Place - TIE: North Caroline and Queen Anne's County High School - 109 donors
Third Place - Kent County High School - 67 donors
The other participating schools on the Eastern Shore include: Salisbury School - 23 donors; Holly Grove Christian School - 30 donors; Mardela High School - 40 donors; Cambridge South Dorchester High School - 39 donors; Pocomoke High School - 42 donors; Stephen Decatur High School - 55 donors; James M. Bennett High School - 72 donors; North Dorchester High School - 57 donors; Snow Hill High School - 61 donors; Crisfield High School - 67 donors; and Easton High School - 44 donors.
"The goal is to attract the most donors - and save lives. Students do everything from recruiting blood donors to helping on the day of the drive, and it's really encouraging to see the enthusiasm," said Suzanne Murray, Blood Bank school blood drive coordinator for the lower Eastern Shore. "The competition has been one of the most effective tools we have to attract young people to give blood, and in our eyes, all the schools are winners."
Winning schools in the Blood Bank's first student video contest will also be announced. Local students were asked to produce a short, creative video at their school recruiting for, promoting, or participating in their school blood drive. Video submissions will be shown, and cash prizes will be awarded.
The School Blood Drive Program provides 8% of the blood supply on Delmarva. The program started in 1984 with just 140 donations at two schools.
