At East Providence High School, blood donation is woven into the fabric of the school community, a shared effort led by teachers and students who have built a culture centered on service, mentorship, and helping others.
That spirit was recognized this month as Rhode Island Blood Center presented the third annual Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award to Health Occupations Program teachers Kristina Martin and Nicole Lakin for their leadership in donor education, recruitment, and advocacy.
Named in honor of Dr. Charles Richard Drew, the pioneering physician whose work laid the foundation for modern blood banking, the award recognizes individuals and organizations that strengthen the blood supply while advancing the importance of donor diversity.
Martin and Lakin, who also serve as nurses in Rhode Island hospitals, have built a program that connects classroom learning with real-world impact. Students learn about blood types, transfusion medicine, and the importance of a diverse donor base through hands-on instruction, laboratory tours, and discussions on conditions such as sickle cell disease. Just as importantly, students take ownership of the school’s blood drives, leading recruitment efforts and encouraging classmates to donate.
The result is one of the strongest high school donor programs in the state and a community that sees blood donation not as a one-time act, but as a responsibility to one another.
“Having donors from many backgrounds helps ensure better matches for patients with complex or chronic transfusion needs,” said Nicole Pineault, Executive Director of Rhode Island Blood Center. “Programs like this help build a donor population that reflects the diversity and generosity of our community.”
The ceremony held May 26 at East Providence High School also recognized four students who achieved “Gallon Grad” status after donating blood eight times during their high school careers, a milestone equal to one gallon donated and the potential to help save up to 24 lives. Several additional students who donated at least six times received honorable mentions for their continued commitment to the program.
For many of the students, the recognition reflected years of shared effort alongside classmates and teachers who have made service part of the school’s identity.
The event also highlighted the critical need for a diverse blood supply. African American blood donors are especially important for patients with sickle cell disease, with approximately one in three African American donors matching patients living with the condition.
“Getting people to donate is a universal challenge,” said Ellen Beaulieu, Account Manager at Rhode Island Blood Center. “Only a small percentage of eligible individuals donate blood, which makes programs like the one at East Providence High School so meaningful. They are creating lifelong donors and helping save lives at the same time.”
Rhode Island Blood Center, part of New York Blood Center Enterprises and home to the world’s largest inventory of rare blood, serves patients across our region with complex and chronic transfusion needs. At East Providence High School, that mission has become something deeply personal — a reflection of the diversity, compassion, and community spirit that continue to inspire the next generation of lifesaving donors.
