Celebration of Life 2012

The Blood Center honored its gold-level donor groups on Feb. 17 at the annual "A Celebration of Life" luncheon and awards presentation. Approximately 900 businesses, churches, schools and other organizations achieved this distinction in 2011 by hosting blood drives at least once every quarter.

Held at the Hilton Americas Hotel, the event featured a testimonial by Gabriella Marshall Mackin, whose daughter, Alessandra, received blood while awaiting a liver transplant as a baby. Alessandra is now 13 and healthy.

Special Category Awards also were presented to groups that went above and beyond in their life-saving efforts in 2011. A list of winners is available here: www.giveblood.org/news/308/23/A-Celebration-of-Life-Honor...