High School Heros

In 2003, the Rhode Island Blood Center started the High School Hero Challenge, targeting high school juniors and seniors. The goal of the program is to encourage high school students to become life-long blood donors. The High School Hero program educates, motivates and rewards students who donate blood three times within the school year at either their high school blood drive, at one of the Blood Center's fixed locations, or at a community blood drive.

All high schools that participate in the blood program are automatically entered into the High School Hero Challenge. The results are compiled throughout the school year and the Challenge winners are determined by the percentage of pints collected for the year in senior class size for each school.

The breakdown for each "division" is as follows: Division One, less than 150 seniors; Division Two; 150-250 seniors and Divisions Three; 250 or more seniors. In each division, the top three schools are recognized in the fall of the following year for their commitment.