Rotary International has been chosen by the AABB, a professional society for transfusion and cellular medicine, as the recipient of its Outstanding Organization Award for our role in the world's blood supply.   -  We hope that this will be highlighted at the Rotary Convention in Salt Lake City, says PDG Charles Kurtzman, President of Global Network for Blood Donation, in formation. 

"It is wonderful to see recognition for the work Rotary clubs do around the world to save lives by collecting blood", says Rotary International Director Barry Rassin, CEO of Doctors Hospital Healt System in the Bahamas.

RI wins 2006 Outstanding Achievement Award - Organization.

This award recognizes an organization that, on a national scale, promotes and supports voluntary blood donations.  Recipient is selected by the Awards Committee.

Nominated by Carter BloodCare

Rotary International

Evanston, Ill.

Citation:

For embracing the mission of blood donation and for the organization's instrumental role in helping to provide safe blood in communities around the world.    

Bio/Description:

Rotary International, which encompasses 1.2 million Rotarians and 32,000 Rotary clubs in 200 nations, embraces the mission of blood donation, encouraging millions of volunteer blood donations nationwide and around the world.  Rotary clubs promote blood drives, educate communities about the immediate need for volunteer donors, and help their community blood centers through volunteerism and philanthropy.

A recent international survey of Rotary District Governors revealed that Rotary clubs in 60 percent of respondent districts actively support blood drives.

In Denmark, South Africa, the Philippines, India and many other countries around the world, Rotarians partner with their community blood centers by hosting thousands of drives each year.  In 1996, a blood drive now called "The Governors' Challenge" was initiated by a collaboration of Rotary clubs to support community blood supplies.  A total of 440 units of blood were collected.  Today, this drive brings in approximately 10,000 units per year in North Texas alone.  It was an idea that sparked a global vision.  The drive has since become a prototype for Rotary Districts across the country and internationally. 

Rotarians and The Rotary Foundation generously support blood centers in developing nations through grants, donations-in-kind, and technology transfer programs.