SUNY & American Red Cross: A Lifesaving Partnership

Albany, NY – The American Red Cross announced today that The State University of New York is its largest academic partner in New York State, thanks to students, faculty and staff who donated nearly 15,000 units of blood in the past year - a 20 percent increase over the year before.

The two organizations also renewed the SUNY-Red Cross Scholarship Program, a two-year-old initiative that awards students who actively work to increase blood donations on their campus. Last year alone, the Red Cross provided $23,000 dollars in scholarship funds to students at 21 SUNY campuses to honor their dedication to the blood program. During the two years of the program, blood donations at SUNY campuses have increased by 42 percent.

“Blood donation is one of the oldest, simplest and most admirable means of community service and the American Red Cross provides an outstanding venue for our students to exhibit the leadership and philanthropic spirit of SUNY,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Thank you to the SUNY campus presidents and the faculty, staff and students who work so diligently to make this scholarship program a success by sponsoring drives and donating blood each year.”

 “The SUNY Partnership is exciting for the Red Cross not just because of the number of blood donations made, which certainly does have a tremendous impact on the community blood supply,” commented Kay Schwartz, chief executive officer, American Red Cross Blood Services-New York-Penn Region. “It also shows that these students are committed to improving their community and making an impact.  This provides hope that we will have a new generation of active citizens.”

Scholarship awards are made to campuses based on the percentage of the student body that donates. Awards of $250 up to $2,000 are given for increases of one to four percent of total campus enrollment.  The money, in the form of a scholarship, goes to the student or students on each campus deemed most responsible for the increase.

Last year, the University at Buffalo, SUNY Canton, Hudson Valley Community College, Broome Community College and Tompkins-Cortland Community College were among those with the highest gains.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating some 440,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross has been a primary supplier of lifesaving blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. The American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region must distribute approximately 2,000 units of blood each day just to meet the basic needs of area patients. Only five percent of those eligible to donate blood actually do so. To donate blood and platelets through the American Red Cross, individuals must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health.  In New York State and Pennsylvania, 16-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original signed Informed Parental Permission for a 16-Year-Old to Donate Whole Blood to the blood drive.  Identification is required at the time of donation to give blood.  For additional information regarding donor eligibility, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit donatebloodnow.org.

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