Local non-profit blood donor center Blood Assurance is expanding its Cord of Courage program that targets high school blood donors throughout the region.
"The Cord of Courage program recognizes high schoolers who have done the heroic act of giving blood by honoring them with a cord to be worn on their graduation day.," officials said.
Blood Assurance has expanded this program with the introduction of “surrogate” blood donors for students who are not eligible to donate blood due to the weight requirement or a medical condition; the student may recruit friends or family members to donate blood on their behalf while earning points toward their Cord of Courage.
A recent example is 17-year-old Katie Ann Dawson who comes from a family of blood donors and recently started earning her Cord of Courage during her junior year of high school.
Ms. Dawson has attempted to donate blood 10 times but, due to setbacks such as low iron levels and not meeting the weight requirement, she has only been able to donate blood twice. Ms. Dawson learned about Blood Assurance’s new surrogate program for earning a Cord of Courage and has received eight donor pledges to give blood in her stead.
“One in seven units of blood that is collected at Blood Assurance is given from a high school student, and we value our student donors who help us save lives throughout the region,” said Mindy Quinn, marketing manager for Blood Assurance. “With the Cord of Courage program, we hope to inspire more high school students to donate blood and continue to give throughout their adult lives.”
Each time a student donates blood through Blood Assurance, they earn points of service, which are tracked by Blood Assurance donor recruiters. When a student has earned a total of six points, they will be awarded a special honors cord that can be worn at graduation. If a student reaches 10 points, they earn a super cord. Blood Assurance added the “Senior Superstar” to their Cord of Courage program, enabling all high school seniors who earn a cord from donating blood and recruit 25 or more new blood donors to be entered to win the senior superstar medallion. All of the seniors who qualify as a Senior Superstar will be recognized on the Blood Assurance website.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in protein prior to donating.
For more information on the Cord of Courage program, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, visit www.bloodassurance.org or call 800-962-0628.