Memorial Foundation kicks off fifth-annual High School Blood Challenge

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -Memorial Hospital Foundation in Belleville and the Central Illinois Community Blood Center have kicked off the 2009-10 High School Blood Challenge.

The High School Blood Challenge encourages high school students, faculty, friends and community members to donate blood in recognition of the high school of their choice.

Competing in three categories based on size, the high school in each category with the highest percentage of blood donations receives a $1,000 scholarship from Memorial Foundation to award to a graduating senior to further his or her education.



"We are pleased to be a part of the High School Blood Challenge for Southern Illinois," said Anne Thomure, Memorial Foundation's executive director. "In addition to providing worthy students with scholarships to further their education, we are providing an avenue for CICBC to educate high school aged students about the importance of donating blood."

"We would like to thank Memorial Foundation for their continued support in the High School Blood Challenge," said David Parsons, CEO of Central Illinois Community Blood Center. "Their support has given area students the opportunity to further their education, as well as improved thousands of lives of patients in area hospitals. Over 20 percent of our blood supply for patients in area hospitals comes from students providing this valuable community service."

Blood drives will be held at the participating high schools, and the winners will be announced in May. Extra credit is awarded to those who donate the day before or after a holiday.

Donations for the Challenge may be made at your local high school blood drive, or at any CICBC mobile blood drive. Donors can credit their donation to their favorite high school by telling the registrar at the drive.

"Area high schools provide a tremendous service to the community," said Parsons.

"We cannot thank the students, faculty and community enough for all that they do to improve the lives of patients in area hospitals."

A total of 1,828 blood donations were made during the 2008-09 High School Blood Challenge. Governor French Academy placed first in the small-school category, Greenville High School placed first in the middle-size category, and Granite City High School placed first in the large-school category. Fifteen area high schools participated in the 2008-09 Challenge.

For more information on donating blood, or to schedule an appointment, contact Central Illinois Community Blood Center toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD or visit www.CICBC.org. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Listed below are high schools currently participating in the 2009-10 High School Blood Challenge. If your high school is not listed below, please call (618) 659-0542.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of blood for 19 hospitals throughout central and southwestern Illinois. Central Illinois Community Blood Center collects more than 40,000 units of blood and blood products annually to meet the needs of patients in area hospitals.

Memorial Foundation is dedicated to the charitable support of Memorial Hospital, which receives blood from Central Illinois Community Blood Center to meet patient needs.

Participating Schools in the 2009-10 High School Blood Challenge

Althoff High School
Belleville West High School
Bunker Hill High School
Civic Memorial High School
Collinsville High School
Columbia High School
East Alton-Wood River Community High School
East St. Louis Senior High School
Edwardsville High School
Governor French Academy
Granite City High School
Greenville High School
Highland High School
Madison High School
Roxana Senior High School
Wesclin Senior High School