With an estimated 23,500 blood donations by the end of the school year, teens have retained their status as United Blood Services largest statewide donor group for the 10th consecutive year. Bourgade Catholic High School again placed top in their division for blood drive efforts.
The school has been a consistent winner in the challenge which puts schools with a similar number of seniors against each other for spirited competition based on percentage participation in blood drives. The D-backs honored the accomplishments of students in the 2013-14 High School Blood Drive Challenge by donating 1,000 tickets to 88 award-winning schools to their April 30 game against the Colorado Rockies. Championship banners were presented on-field during pregame ceremonies to the eight schools earning the highest honors.
“High school donors are the top contributors to Arizona’s blood supply,” said Audrey Jennings, Regional Executive Director for United Blood Services/Arizona. “High school blood drives provide one out of every 10 donations given in Arizona, far surpassing any other age group of donors.”
The 178 high schools participating in the blood drive challenge organized 466 blood drives across Arizona. Teen donations have more than doubled since the D-backs signed on as sponsors of the High School Blood Drive Challenge in 1998.
“Working with Arizona’s youth to instill outstanding community values is one of our major goals,” said team President and CEO Derrick Hall. “We applaud their accomplishments and are delighted to honor them for saving lives.”
