TAMIU Named National Winner in César Chávez Blood Drive

Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) 2009 National César Chávez Blood Drive Challenge, a low-effort, high-impact community service event, took the top place nationally as the 2009 Most Successful Blood Drive among college campuses.

As the winner of the 2009 National César Chávez Blood Drive Challenge TAMIU gets to hold the trophy for one year until the 2010 winner is determined.

Carlos U. Ramirez, student organizer, Karina Saldivar, CAMP academic coordinator, and Lorie Garcia, South Texas Blood and Tissue Center led the TAMIU initiative. TAMIU Student Health Services and the TAMIU CAMP Office coordinated the event.

The top 10 campuses are as follows:
First place – Texas A&M International University
Second place – West Hills Community College, Coalinga, Calif.
Third place – Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas
Fourth place – California State University (CSU), San Marcos, Calif.
Fifth place – Metropolitan State College of Denver, Colo.
Sixth place – Crowder College
Seventh (tie) – Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Wash., University of Texas - Pan American, Edinburg, Texas, and Pennsylvania State University
Tenth place – CSU, Fresno, Calif.

The National Drive featured 42 participating colleges and universities, 2,468 presenting and registered donors, 1,931 useable blood units and pints collected, 873 first-time donors registered, 1,265 Hispanic and Latino donors registered and 540 CAMPer Donors Registered nationwide in honor of César Chávez and his vision for migrant and farm workers in this country.

All participating student organizers will be receive a certificate of appreciation from the César E. Chávez Foundation. The top 10 campuses will receive plaques.

For more information on the event, please contact Karina I. Saldivar, academic coordinator, at 326.2707 or e-mail karina@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu