The Blood Center – East Texas recently held “A Celebration of Life” dinner and awards ceremony at the Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches. The event recognized the life-saving efforts of gold-level donors, 10-gallon or higher donors, gold-level groups and high school scholarship recipients.

It also was an opportunity for BCET donors to meet President and CEO Brian G. Gannon, who appeared at the event alongside BCET Director Mary Frances Bradford and President and CEO Emeritus Bill T. Teague. A woman who personally understands the importance of blood donations, Kathy Hiebert, also shared her story of how volunteer blood donors saved the lives of her twins, Brooke and Brett.

More than 500 gold-level Commit for Life donors’ names were listed on a banner at the event, and special recognition was given to the two highest-achieving donors – Dennis Chapman, who has given 41 gallons; and William Bryant, who has given 18 gallons. Eleven other donors who reached the 10-gallon mark in 2005 also received awards.

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Path for Success Awards were presented to 25 gold-level groups that held quarterly blood drives and achieved their collections goals in 2005. Additionally, special Commit for Life Awards were presented to outstanding groups for their successes in 14 different categories.

Winners were:

Effective Teleservices, Inc., of Nacogdoches
Business – Greatest Number of Donations

Huntington State Bank, of Nacogdoches
Business – Highest Percent Participation

Citation Foundries, of Lufkin
Industry – Greatest Number of Donations

Hallmark Fixture Operations, of Center
Industry – Highest Percent Participation

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, of Nacogdoches
Church – Greatest Number of Donations

Knights of Columbus - Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, of Trinity
Church – Highest Percent Participation

Lufkin High School, of Lufkin
High School – Greatest Number of Donations

Huntington High School, of Huntington
High School – Highest Percent Participation

Stephen F. Austin State University, of Nacogdoches
College – Greatest Number of Donations

Angelina College, of Lufkin
College – Highest Percent Participation

Memorial Medical Center – Livingston, of Livingston
Hospital – Greatest Number of Donations

Memorial Medical Center – Livingston, of Livingston
Hospital – Highest Percent Participation

KSWP/KAVX East Texas Christian Radio
Media Support (Battle of the Banks Summer Blood Drive)

Clear Channel Radio
Media Support (Blood Storm July 4 Blood Drive, Christmas Holiday Blood Drive)

Brian Gannon and BCET Board of Trustees Chairman James Slack presented The Power of Life scholarships to two East Texas high school seniors – Terry E. Stone, Jr., of Huntington High School, and Mary Richardson, of Livingston High School. Each received a $2,000 scholarship for their college education. Stone plans to attend Stephen F. Austin State University or the University of North Texas, and Richardson plans to attend Tyler Junior College.