Event recognized students for their lifesaving contributions and featured moving stories from local recipient families
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CRANSTON, RI – On Thursday, October 23 Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) hosted their annual High School Hero Reception and Award Ceremony at Top Golf in Cranston. RIBC presented awards honoring local students and high schools for their dedication to saving lives through blood donations.
High school blood drives play a crucial role in educating students about the lifesaving importance of donating blood, while offering them a meaningful way to engage in community service. Recognizing these students for their contributions helps foster a lifelong commitment to giving blood.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, donations from high school and college students have dropped by nearly 25% nationwide, posing a long-term challenge to the stability of the blood supply. RIBC’s High School Heroes are stepping up to close that gap, inspiring their peers and making a real difference in patients’ lives.
As part of the evening’s program, attendees heard from recent Westerly High School graduate and platelet donor Dylan Tallardy, who already has made 67 donations (8 gallons), as well as Kathy Finnerty, a RIBC volunteer and blood recipient.
“Donating isn’t about doing something huge or heroic,” said Dylan Tallardy, platelet donor and recent Westerly High School Graduate. “It’s about showing up. You don’t have to be a doctor or a nurse to save someone’s life, you just have to roll up your sleeve.”
“The Rhode Island Department of Education proudly stands with the Rhode Island Blood Center in championing health education and community service in our schools,” said Stephen Osborn, Rhode Island Department of Education Student Opportunity Officer. “By promoting blood donation awareness and supporting vital school blood drives, we are seeing inspired students ready to embrace altruism and lifesaving action from an early age. RIBC’s unwavering commitment to our state’s well-being is a model for us all—let’s continue this collaboration to ensure every Rhode Islander knows the profound impact of giving the gift of life.”
RIBC would like to thank Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Lt. Governor Sabina Matos for recognizing RIBC’s high school heroes with official citations. Special thanks also go to Megan Umbriano, Acting Chief of Emergency Medical Services, Rhode Island Department of Health, for attending this event as well.
