VINTON – Dakota Cornell, a student from Vinton-Shellsburg High School received the ImpactLife Student Impact Award, given annually to students who have shown exemplary support of our region’s blood supply. The Student Impact Award Program recognizes the many ways students can support the blood supply: as donors, advocates, volunteers, and blood drive coordinators. Recipients of the Student Impact Award have completed one of the following activities while in high school: donated blood at least six times, recruited at least six new blood donors, or have hosted a local blood drive.
“Across our region, we’re fortunate to work with students who want to make a difference, develop leadership skills, and volunteer to help our community,” said Teresa Gottschalk, Manager, Donor Relations. “We appreciate our Student Impact Award recipients for their commitment to helping others, and we look forward to seeing the positive difference they’ll make long into the future.”
Donors Needed as Blood Supply Drops Ahead of Summer
ImpactLife distributes the Student Impact Award during the final weeks of the school year, a time when the blood center begins to see a decrease in the rate of blood donation that’s caused in part by the loss of school-based blood drives. The blood center has an immediate need for donors of all blood types, and type O-negative blood donors (the universal blood type), in particular. To book an appointment for blood donation, please call (800) 747-5401, text 999-777, or schedule online at or via the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).
About the Student Impact Award Program
Student Impact Award recipients receive an award certificate and a red cord that represents the connection between blood donors, ImpactLife, and patients who are helped by the student’s support of our region’s blood supply. With permission from their school, students may choose to wear the red cord in their high school graduation ceremony.