The 16^th Annual Carolina Blood Drive on Wednesday (June 9) produced 1,033 usable units, beating organizers’ 1,000-unit goal and topping 1,000 for the fifth time in its history. The day before, organizers learned that UNC has won the American Association of Blood Banks’ Award of Merit in the education category.

"We are pleased to join you in citing the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for its contributions and exceptional public service," wrote Dr. Kathleen Sazama, association president, in a letter to Robert Fechner, chief executive officer of the Carolinas Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. Fechner nominated UNC for the award.

"Congratulations on this most deserved award," Fechner wrote to Katrina Coble of UNC, chair of the blood drive committee. "We are VERY proud of the amazing work you and your colleagues perform every year in support of the ARC blood program."

In all, 1,042 people from UNC and the community came to donate at the Smith Center on Wednesday, including 107 first-time donors, said Coble, who is business manager for the computer science department in the College of Arts and Sciences. "Our single-day drive produced enough blood to supply nearly 70 percent of the needs for one full day at all 106 hospitals serviced by the Carolinas region of the Red Cross."

The yield will help as many as 3,099 people in the region, said Jeff Davis of the Red Cross, a senior donor recruitment representative. He said recipients might be "a baby born with heart complications, a teen-ager in an automobile accident, a father undergoing chemotherapy treatment or a grandmother having hip replacement surgery."

"Families in our area hospitals are grateful for your contribution to the blood program," Davis wrote in a thank-you note to donors and UNC’s blood drive committee. "Your time, efforts and donations have an incredible impact and are truly appreciated."

More than 35 local vendors donated food and beverages, Davis said, and several media outlets helped recruit donors by announcing the drive. UNC employees, retirees and students who volunteered to organize and staff the drive totaled approximately 190, said volunteer coordinator Anne Webb of the School of Nursing.

Across the region, supplies are still low, Davis said. Types O and B especially are needed. Those who missed the drive but still would like to donate may contact local Red Cross offices or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE. Information about donating and other drives is on the Carolinas Region Web site, http://www.redcrossblood.org.

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UNC’s N.C. Botanical Garden today (June 11) received the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta’s Program Excellence Award at the association’s annual conference in Dallas.

The award recognizes the garden’s conservation program for pioneering and developing many conservation practices, such as plant rescue, rare plant propagation, ecological seed distribution policies and invasive exotic plant initiatives.

"The committee was extremely impressed with the scope of programs and practices," said Kathleen Socolofsky, the association’s awards committee chair.

"The overall commitment of the organization to these programs for over 20 years was truly amazing and should be a model to other organizations searching for a way to deliver real results in a changing world."

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