America’s Blood Centers has selected Steven DeLorenzo, North Hunterdon High School Guidance Counselor and National Honor Society Advisor, as the recipient of this year’s Larry Frederick Award. This award is given by America’s Blood Centers and the Association of Donor Recruitment. DeLorenzo will receive the award at the annual meeting of America’s Blood Centers in Washington, D.C. on March 27, 2017.
“I am extremely humbled to have been named the 2017 Larry Frederick Award winner presented by America’s Blood Centers. Although it is greatly appreciated, this award is not about me, but rather a reflection of the amazing school and community that we call home. What they have accomplished and continue to accomplish on a yearly basis is truly remarkable. I am just proud to be a small part of their life saving efforts,” said DeLorenzo.
DeLorenzo began working with New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, in 2002. He, along with students in the National Honor Society, coordinate the blood drives held four times a year at North Hunterdon High School. For the last 10 years, North Hunterdon High School has ranked number one for top high school blood drives in the tri-state area for New York Blood Center. During the 2015-2016 school year, the high school’s blood drives collected 1,386 units of blood.
According to America’s Blood Centers, the Larry Frederick Award honors an individual for his/her community leadership in raising awareness of the need for blood donations. Areas of achievement may include individual blood donations, fundraising support, networking on behalf of the blood center, and other leadership activities that promote blood donation throughout the community.
In 1982, as an on-duty police officer, Larry Frederick was struck by a car going 65 mph. Larry’s life was saved by 110 pints of blood given by volunteer blood donors. He exemplifies why we do what we do. As a police officer, he risked his life daily to protect his fellow citizens. When he was injured while on duty, the gift of life from over 100 fellow Americans, whose lives he protected, was there to save his own. Now Larry has become one of the nation’s most eloquent and avid spokespersons for why Americans need to donate blood as often as they can, to assure that gift is there for the Larry Fredericks of the world, for their children and their parents.
The next blood drive at North Hunterdon High School will be held on May 25, 2017 from 7:30am to 3:00pm in the main gym.
