High school students got more than just snacks and time out of the classroom when they donated blood at City of Hope during the past school year. The Blood Donor Center collaborated with local schools to reward students who donated blood or platelets.

Special gifts included a red honor cord that graduates could wear at their commencements.

“The High School Donor Reward Program is the first of its kind, and it offers a unique opportunity for students to be recognized for their time and effort to help others,” said Jill Schwarz, recruitment manager in the Blood Donor Center. “Plus, it fosters a mutually beneficial relationship with the students and schools.”

Students must be at least 17 years old to donate. To qualify for an honor cord, along with a certificate of recognition, students had to donate blood or platelets at least three times during their senior year.

During the 2010-2011 school year, 75 seniors received an honor cord.

Repeat student donors also received other rewards such as a tag necklace inscribed with the word “Hero” and a chance to win an Apple iPad.

For their part, participating high schools agreed to host two City of Hope blood drives during the school year.

Schwarz credited the successful program in large part for the increased blood donations from students over the school year.

“Last year we had 16 high school drives and collected approximately 850 units. This year

we conducted 27 drives and collected almost 2,000 units,” Schwarz said. The Blood Donor Center plans to promote and expand the program for the next school year.

For more information about the High School Donor Reward Program or to make an appointment to donate whole blood or platelets, please contact the Blood Donor Center at 626-471-7171 or donateblood@coh.org.