Former Greenville College professor named “Most Dedicated Blood Drive Coordinator” in Illinois
A local college professor is being honored as the “Most Dedicated Blood Drive Coordinator” in the state by the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers (ICCBC).
Dr. Dan Jensen of Greenville has organized blood drives through much of his tenure as a history professor at Greenville College.
Though he retired in 1996, he continues to hold quarterly blood drives, which are now held at the local bank.
The secret to his success is the hours he spends in the college cafeteria for several days at a time prior to the drive recruiting students, many of whom go on to become lifetime donors.
In conjunction with Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proclamation naming July as “Blood Drive Coordinator Month,” the ICCBC held its annual statewide competition to honor the state’s best blood drive coordinators. Award were given in four categories: Most Innovative, Best School, Best Military Related Drive, and Most Dedicated, which Jensen won.
Winners were chosen from nominations submitted from blood centers across the state. In addition to blood collected on-site, blood centers rely tremendously on blood drives coordinated throughout the community by volunteers at businesses, government offices, churches, schools, etc.
“We congratulate our 2015 state winners for their hard work and commitment to inspire others to save lives through blood donation,” said Kirby Winn, ICCBC president and director of public relations for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. “We would also like to thank all the hardworking individuals who voluntarily coordinate blood drives every day and who make it possible for us to provide blood to patients in need and would ask the public to please us continue our mission by volunteering to be a local blood drive coordinator.”
Winners will be presented with the awards this fall at upcoming blood drives and invited to Springfield next winter for a press conference and special reception with the Legislature.
This story was originally published July 25, 2015 at 8:06 AM with the headline "Former Greenville College professor named “Most Dedicated Blood Drive Coordinator” in Illinois."