Fort Wayne & NE Indiana News

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IPFW Student From DeKalb County Wins Red Cross Scholarship; More Scholarships Available

Stephanie Garn of Corunna, Indiana, was awarded one of two $1,500 American Red Cross Leaders Save Lives program scholarships for hosting a successful Red Cross blood drive last summer.

As part of the Leaders Save Lives program, Garn hosted a blood drive at NorthSide Elementary School in Kendallville where nearly 90 blood donations were collected, potentially helping hundreds of patients. Because of the blood drive’s success thanks to Garn’s efforts, she was entered, and selected, to win a $1,500 college scholarship as well as a $50 gift card to giftcertificates.com.

“I was surprised and excited I won the scholarship,” said Garn. “I set a goal for myself and accomplished it. I (signed up because) I thought it would be nice to help save lives and build my resume.”

Garn currently attends Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne, is pursuing a math education degree to teach middle school or high school math and hopes to eventually obtain a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.

“The blood drive was a lot of fun,” commented Garn. “It’s amazing how many people come out to donate.”

Winter scholarships available

Students can sign up now for the winter 2015 Leaders Save Lives program. Registration is open through Nov. 15 for blood drives hosted between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15. Up to 10 student participants will be awarded scholarships in addition to all participants receiving gift cards upon completion of a successful blood drive. Blood donations made at high school, university and college blood drives account for as much as 20 percent of blood donations through the Red Cross. Around the winter holidays, when school is not in session, blood donations often decline. More information about the Leaders Save Lives program is available at redcrossblood.org/leaderssavelives.