'Celebration of Life' Honors Top Life-Saving Groups

February 17, 2009

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center recognized the achievements of its gold-level blood drive groups, which held at least four blood drives in 2008, at the “Celebration of Life” awards luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

More than 700 groups earned the “Path for Success” Awards, which recognize gold-level achievement by businesses, schools, churches and other organizations that host blood drives. These groups’ commitment helped make 2008 the best year for saving lives in The Blood Center’s 33-year history, as the organization collected more than 314,000 blood donations.

View and download your "Path for Success" Award photos.

Additionally, The Blood Center recognized 11 Special Category Award winners for going above and beyond in their life-saving efforts. Those winners are:

Church of the Year 
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

Community Group of the Year 
Bay City Police Department

Community Advocates of the Year 
The Woodlands Community Advocates

Corporation of the Year 
CenterPoint Energy

Event of the Year 
Brenham High School 30th Anniversary Blood Drive

Hospital of the Year 
Shriners Hospital

Media Group of the Year 
Cumulus Media Houston

New Group of the Year 
Omega Psi Phi – Rho Xi Chapter

School of the Year 
Rice University

Small Business of the Year 
Texas Gulf Bank – Clute

Bill T. Teague Award
(Sponsored by Continental Airlines, the official airline of Commit for Life.)
Candy Kasserman, chairperson – Harris County

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center always is seeking more businesses and organizations to help save lives by hosting blood drives. For more information on how your group can Commit for Life, please send an e-mail to hostablooddrive@giveblood.org or call 1(888) 482-5663.