8/27/2009 - Terre Haute Tribune Star: Taking care of high school donorsArticle Link:
http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_story_238225652.html
Launched in the spring semester of 2009, Indiana Blood Center's Experts in Student Donations intiative was developed in response to and discussions with school nurses, blood drive coordinators at high schools and the center's medical staff. In the 2008/2009 academic year, 109 high schools hosted blood drives.
Learn more about the high school blood drive competition.
Below is an excerpt from the Tribune Star article, as reported by Sue Loughlin, Aug. 27, 2009.
Last year, high school students provided about 16 percent of the blood donated to the Indiana Blood Center, according to representatives of the nonprofit community service organization.
Historically, Hoosier high school students have donated about 11 percent. “They’re an increasing part of our donor base,” said Wendy Mehringer, the center’s director of public relations and marketing.
The organization has 10 donation centers throughout Indiana, including one in Terre Haute.
In 2008-09, the center launched an initiative to encourage high school students to donate and to decrease the possibility of post-donation reactions, such as dizziness.
“We want students to have a good experience,” Mehringer said.
The initiative attempts to minimize wait times, reduce reaction rates and support the school with added personnel on blood drive day.