In celebration of their accomplishments, the Arizona Diamondbacks invited more than 500 students from the 44 top award-winning schools to be honored at the team’s May 14 game against the Colorado Rockies. Championship banners were presented during pre-game ceremonies to the eight schools that won honors for their division. In addition, the Arizona Diamondbacks provided complimentary tickets for gold and platinum level award-winning schools and invited the top two schools to share a party suite at the May 14 game.

With projected increase of nearly 2,500 donations during the 2007-08 school year, student organizers from among 148 campuses are expected to break last year’s donation record by more than 15 percent. “High school donors have become the top contributors to Arizona’s blood supply,” said Audrey Gietzen, executive director for United Blood Services.  “Today, one out of every 13 blood transfusions required by Arizona hospital patients is provided by 17- to 19-year-olds, far surpassing any other age group of donors,” she added.

Through the High School Blood Drive Challenge, students are encouraged to develop a lifelong pattern of saving lives by donating blood. For more information about United Blood Services 2007-08 High School Blood Drive Challenge, visit www.UnitedBloodServicesAZHS.org.