Tuesday, January 28, 2024
Tuesday, 25 students from six of Lead The Way’s (LTW) partnering schools gathered for the Versiti Blood Center of Ohio Leadership Academy kickoff event. This initiative, a collaboration between Versiti Blood Center of Ohio and Lead The Way, is designed to cultivate leadership skills among high school students while increasing blood donations to support local healthcare needs.
Versiti Blood Center of Ohio provides lifesaving blood products and specialty laboratory services to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, which requires more than 60,000 blood units annually. Through this academy, students will champion the cause of blood donation, helping to fortify healthcare accessibility in Central Ohio.
Developing Leadership Through Action
As part of this year-long initiative, 15 highly motivated high school students (ages 16-20) will be selected to serve on a leadership committee that plays a pivotal role in advocating for blood donations within their communities. Their responsibilities will include:
Live recruitment – Engaging peers and community members to donate.
Event hosting – Organizing and running blood drives at their schools.
Advocacy & outreach – Raising awareness about the importance of blood donation.
By utilizing creative strategies and hands-on leadership, these students will make a direct and tangible impact on the healthcare system while strengthening their own professional and personal growth.
Benefits of Participation
Students who participate in the Versiti Blood Center of Ohio Leadership Academy will gain valuable experience and receive numerous benefits, including:
Work experience in event planning, marketing, and leadership.
A program certificate of completion to showcase their achievement.
Internship opportunities within and beyond Versiti.
Opportunities for executive leadership positions within the committee.
A letter of recognition from Versiti’s CEO to highlight their contributions.
A leadership cord for graduation recognizing their service.
Entrance into The Ohio State University’s Buckeye Blood Club (for students attending OSU).
How Schools Benefit from Hosting Blood Drives
Beyond individual student leadership, the program offers significant incentives for schools that support blood donation efforts. Schools that host blood drives can earn scholarship and grant funds to support student activities, with potential payouts reaching up to $5,000 per year based on the number of successful blood units collected.
Additionally, schools that host their first blood drive with Versiti receive a one-time stipend of $1,000, offering a direct way to support student programs while making a lifesaving difference in the community.
A Powerful Start to a Lifesaving Mission
Yesterday’s kickoff event energized students and reinforced their role as changemakers in their schools and communities. With their dedication and innovative approaches, these young leaders are poised to drive meaningful change, ensuring that more individuals have access to the blood products they need.
A huge thank you to Versiti Blood Center of Ohio for providing this invaluable opportunity, and to the students of LTW’s partner schools for stepping up to make an impact. We look forward to seeing their leadership in action and the success of their upcoming blood drives.
Stay tuned for updates on the Versiti Leadership Academy and upcoming student-led initiatives!
