The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is giving high school and college students a chance to win a $1,000 college scholarship this holiday season. Students are invited to participate in CBCC’s “Holiday Heroes” program by hosting a blood drive in their community.

To qualify for a “Holiday Heroes” scholarship, students must host a blood drive in their community between Nov. 21-30 or between Dec. 19-Jan. 9; recruit friends, family and neighbors to donate blood; and collect a minimum of 25 units. CBCC will award a $1,000 college scholarship to the student who collects the most units.

“Scholarship programs like ‘Holiday Heroes’ give us an opportunity to engage and reward our students who play a key role in our blood collection efforts,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. “Blood donations tend to drop significantly during the holiday season when students are out of school. The inability to host blood drives at high schools coupled with busy schedules, inclement weather and winter illnesses creates a significant need. So, students and others in the community willing to host blood drives during the ‘giving’ season are heroes, helping to save local lives.”

According to CBCC, students make up over 20 percent of its donor base. Through its commitment to supporting students and schools, CBCC has awarded more than 300 scholarships and grants since 2009. To learn more about the “Holiday Heroes” program, contact Kim Jones at 704-972-4727 or at KLJones@cbcc.us.

To make an appointment at any CBCC donation center or mobile drive, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is a non-profit community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to 27 regional hospitals, serving 19 North Carolina and three South Carolina counties. CBCC focuses exclusively on gathering red blood cells, platelets and plasma from volunteer donors to save local lives here in the Carolinas. Every drop stays here, saving local lives. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers providing more than 50% of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter, on Instagram https://instagram.com/cbccarolinas/ and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.