BROCKWAY – Anna Brinkley of Brockway was awarded one of five $5,000 American Red Cross High School Leadership program scholarships for her support of blood drives hosted at Brockway Area High School.
As part of the national Red Cross High School Leadership program, Brinkley met all requirements needed to enter to win a $5,000 scholarship. She donated blood three times and volunteered 14 hours with the Red Cross – nearly twice the minimum required.
Brinkley also recruited five new donors to give blood through the Red Cross.
“When I found out I won this scholarship I was both excited and honored,” said Brinkley. “It meant so much to me since I did all of the donations and volunteer hours for nothing in return, and then I ended up winning a scholarship, which will greatly help me with me school tuition.“
The High School Leadership program is designed to engage students in lifesaving community services: blood and platelet donation, volunteerism and donor recruitment.
High school students can participate throughout their high school career to support the Red Cross Blood program.
Blood donations made at high schools, universities and colleges account for as much as 20 percent of overall blood donations with the Red Cross. Through this program, high school students are contributing to the overall need for blood donations across the country.
“Instilling the importance of blood donation and teaching leadership skills in high school students are vital components of the High School Leadership program,” said Natalie Haney, director of donor recruitment, American Red Cross Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region.
“Students involved in the program learn the value of donating blood and contributing to their community through their leadership.”
Brinkley graduated from Brockway Area High School this past spring and plans to attend the Indiana University of Pennsylvania this fall and pursue a career in the nursing.
“If someone were to ask me if they should donate or not, I would definitely urge them to,” commented Brinkley. “I would tell them that by giving blood you could save lives and it is an incredible feeling — after you’re done the first time you’ll want to give again.”
High school students can register now to participate in the Red Cross High School Leadership program. More information and registration is available at leader.redcrossblood.org.