Riverview High Wins 'School Blood Drive Award'

A recognition celebration for student and staff blood donors at Riverview High School is scheduled for today, April 4, to mark the award of this year's "School Blood Drive Award," according to a report from Florida Blood Services, a division of OneBlood Inc.

The competition is sponsored by America’s Blood Centers (ABC). 

• See Video of Riverview High's Latest Blood Drive

Renee Gandy has been invited to attend the celebration, to talk about her son, Joshua, "his battle with leukemia, his reliance on donors for multiple blood transfusions, and the encouraging one-year milestone of Joshua being off chemotherapy," according to the report.

Joshua turns 11 today.

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Report: Why Riverview High Is Tops In Blood Drives

• Over the past five years, Riverview students, staff, participating alumni and parents have generously given a total of 7,011 blood donations during the 25 blood drives held on campus.

• Principal Bob Heilmann, an 8-gallon blood donor, champions the blood drives and is always the first donor on one of eight bloodmobiles.

• The blood drives are sponsored and promoted by members of the Student Government Association, under the leadership of their faculty advisor Laura Hike.

• The blood drive committee recruits students to give blood, coordinates the flow of donors during the drives, and sponsors a cookout to feed all who donate.

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About America’s Blood Centers

• Founded in 1962, America’s Blood Centers is North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood programs.

• Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its critical work in patient care and disaster preparedness and response, the federation operates more than 600 blood donor centers providing half of the U.S., and a quarter of the Canadian blood supply.