During the past school year, high schools from across the state competed to win a scholarship from The Blood Center of Iowa.  This scholarship program was formed to reinforce the importance of organizing blood drives as a character building activity that teaches students the importance of community service and volunteerism.  The Blood Center awarded a $1,000 scholarship to one school in each class size (1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A). 

The high schools were awarded this scholarship based on their participation and sponsorship of blood drives held during the 2009-2010 school year.  School officials selected a senior student to receive the $1,000 scholarship.  The Blood Center encouraged the high school to select a student based upon their volunteerism activity, community service and need.  The recipient of the scholarship did not have to be a blood donor.  Scholarship winners are listed below:

• Brock Beadle, North Sentral Kossuth High School
• Haddie Vawter, BCLUW High School
• Lisa Button, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School
• Alexander Klyn, Newton High School

High school students are vital to the future of the volunteer blood donor program. The Blood Center commends the students for the time, effort and energy they put forth to assure the success of their blood drives. 
The Blood Center of Iowa joined operations with Siouxland Community Blood Bank in April, 2010 to become LifeServe Blood Center.  As one of the 15th largest blood centers in the country, LifeServe Blood Center provides blood and blood products to more than 85 hospitals located across Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.  LifeServe is committed to providing premier service to volunteer blood donors and access to a safe, quality blood supply for hospitals and patients.  Eligible blood donors must be at least 16 years old, should weigh at least 120 pounds and should be in general good health.  For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 800.287.4903 or visit www.bloodcenterofiowa.org.