one out of every seven units of blood we receive is donated by high school students.

 

Cord of Courage is a program designed to recognize these students’ lifesaving efforts. Students at participating schools who complete a required number of donations before they graduate receive a special cord to wear at their graduation ceremony and may be able to receive a special edition cord if they go above and beyond.

The Cord of Courage program recognizes high school seniors who have made the selfless decision to give someone the gift of life through the selfless act of blood donation or recruiting blood donors.

High schools hosting Blood Assurance blood drives during the school year are eligible to participate in this program.

When high school students (students who are at least 16 years of age require one-time parental consent) give blood during the school year, they earn points. Different types of donations earn different points. When six points have been earned, the student is given an honor cord to wear at graduation and keep forever. For students who go above and beyond, a double cord can be earned, too. School administration must approve the cord before it can be presented.

Guidelines for seniors

  • Student must give blood during the school year, either at their school drive, another Blood Assurance blood drive or a Blood Assurance donor center. At least one donation must be made at the participating high school.

  • Students ineligible* to give blood can join the Surrogate Program and recruit friends or family members to give blood on their behalf. They must recruit at least three new donors during the school year to qualify.

  • *Age, weight or medical restrictions can keep a student from giving blood, as determined by a Blood Assurance staff member. Deferrals do not count toward earning a cord. Ineligible students must obtain a donor ID for tracking purposes.*Make sure the new donor provides your name, donor ID and high school name at the time they give blood, to ensure it is properly accounted for.

  • In order to be eligible for a “Cord of Courage” students must earn 6 points.

Point system

In order to be eligible for a “Cord of Courage” students must earn 6 points. Points are given for donations, and some types of donations, platelets for example count as double points, as well as certain times of the school year donations count as double points, like Winter and Spring Break, among others. If a student earns 10 points or more they are awarded a Super Cord!

  • Whole Blood Donation (30 minute process) 1 point. This is the most common donation and can be done every 56 days.

  • Platelet Donation (60 minute process) 2 points. You are able to donate platelets every seven days and up to 24 times per calendar year.

  • ALYX (45 minute process) 2 points. Frequency of donation depends on the donors height and weight, and if you qualify you can give 2 units of blood cells every 112 days.

  • In the spring, earn Spring Break Double points during March and April for each donation.

  • In the summer, earn Summer Double Points during June and July for each donation.

Join Today

For Inquiries, Contact:
Nick Bosco
Director of Donor Recruitment
East Tennessee and GA
Email Nick or call (423) 356-4368

Jerry Antoine
Middle Tennessee and Bowling Green, KY + surrounding counties
Email or call 800-962-0628, ext 2110

*Make sure the new donor provides name, donor ID and high school name at the time they give blood, to ensure it is properly accounted for.