Across the country, high school students are helping patients in need by donating blood and platelets, volunteering at blood drives and donation centers, and recruiting new donors as part of the American Red Cross High School Leadership Program.

Through the program, students are not only touching lives, but they’re becoming leaders and earning educational rewards along the way.

With each achievement comes a Red Cross Red Cord to wear at graduation, the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship or a college recommendation letter from a local Red Cross executive, as well as optional online recognition.

As much as 20 percent of Red Cross blood donations come from students. On average, about 17,000 pints of blood must be collected every day for patients at nearly 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers.

Through the dedicated members of the High School Leadership Program, the Red Cross can help ensure supplies of blood products are readily available for patients in need.