The Event: The National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge celebrates Cesar E. Chavez's Legacy as an American civic leader by engaging college students to promote 1) health education, 2) health & science careers, 3) civic engagement and 4) saving lives! Student leaders organize a blood donor recruitment campaign on their college campus culminating in a campus-wide health service learning event. The event was founded in 2009 and is now expecting up to 250 colleges/universities and more than 30,000 students participate nationwide during the 2013 campaign. In 2012, the National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge was honored as Partner of the Year by the blood services industry association, America's Blood Centers. Almost all blood centers nationwide now participate annually, to include the American Red Cross.
What is service learning? Service learning integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection. The community benefits while students learn civic responsibility, leadership, and teamwork.
Who was Cesar E. Chavez? He was an American civic leader born in Yuma (AZ), a WWII Veteran, who dedicated his life to improving working conditions and qualify of life for migrant and seasonal farmworker communities. The target date for campus blood drives is March 31st, celebrating Mr. Chavez's Legacy on his birthday.
Challenge Champions There are (2) challenge categories:
"Most Successful Blood Drive" Award (All U.S. colleges/universities are eligible to participate)
2012 - Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL
2011 - University of Missouri, Colombia, MO 2010 - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX
"CAMPers for Life!" Award (ONLY currently federally funded CAMP grants eligible)
2012 - CSU, Sacramento, CA
2011 - Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA
2010 - Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX
2009 - Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX
2012 Most Successful Blood Drive Award
2012 CAMPers for Life! Award
1st
FL
Valencia Community College
2nd
MO
University of Missouri - Columbia
3rd
CA
CSU Sacramento
4th
TN
University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
5th
CA
Bakersfield College
6th
WA
Western Washington University
7th
CA
Sacramento City College
8th
CA
American River College
9th
WI
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
10th
CA
CSU Stanislaus
11th
TX
University of Texas-Pan American
12th
OH
Bowling Green State University
13th
TX
University of Texas at San Antonio
14th
CA
Los Angeles Valley College
15th
CA
Citrus College
16th
CA
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
17th
FL
University of South Florida
18th
AZ
University of Arizona
19th
OK
University of Oklahoma - Norman
20th
TX
Texas A&M International University
20th
NC
Duke University
Note: 225 colleges/universities participated
1st
CA
CSU Sacramento
2nd
TX
University of Texas-Pan American
3rd
CA
West Hills Community College District
3rd
TX
University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
19,080Presenting/Registered Donors 16,075Blood Units/Pints Collected (103% of Goal set by the blood centers) 4,9601st-Time Donors Registered (32% of Registered Donors) 5,479Hispanic/Latino Donors Registered (38% of Registered Donors) 831 CAMPer Donors Registered (16% of current & former Enrolled CAMPers)
2011 National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge2011 Most Successful Results2011 CAMPers for Life Results 167 Participating Colleges/Universities 15,504 Presenting/Registered Donors 12,151 Blood Units/Pints Collected (103% of Goal set by the blood centers) 4,609 1st-Time Donors Registered (33% of Registered Donors) 5,083 Hispanic/Latino Donors Registered (34% of Registered Donors) 638 CAMPer Donors Registered (12% of current & former Enrolled CAMPers)
2010 National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge 2010 Most Successful Results2010 CAMPers for Life Results 113 Participating Colleges/Universities 10,231 Presenting/Registered Donors 8,054 Blood Units/Pints Collected (95% of Goal set by the blood centers) 2,992 1st-Time Donors Registered (32% of Registered Donors) 3,244 Hispanic/Latino Donors Registered (29% of Registered Donors) 560 CAMPer Donors Registered (12% of curent & former Enrolled CAMPers)
2009 National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge2009 CAMPers for Life Results 42 Participating Colleges/Universities 2,468 Presenting/Registered Donors 1,931 Blood Units/Pints Collected (117% of Goal set by the blood centers) 873 1st-Time Donors Registered (35% of Registered Donors) 1,265 Hispanic/Latino Donors Registered (51% of Registered Donors) 540 CAMPer Donors Registered (22% of current & former Enrolled CAMPers)
2009-2012 Champions List
(Download PDF)
2012 Most Successful Blood Drive Award
Valencia Community College, Orlando, Florida - Go Valencia Volunteers!
2011 Best Campaign Award
Valencia Community College, Orlando, Florida - Go Valencia Volunteers!
Student Organizers Testimonials:
"Why did you decide you lead the campaign on your campus?"
Please take your own 30-60 second testimony as to why you decided to participate and lead the National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge on your campus! Tell us why it is importan to you, what you hope to learn from this health service learning iniaitive and what about Mr. Chavez's Legacy your admire. We want to hear from you!
Developing a campaign - from beginning to end!
Portland Community College, OR - College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
Where & when did it all start?
Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID - College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
