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From The Officers

Area 2 Newsletter October 2023

A Beacon of Hope

In a world where medical advancements continue to make leaps and bounds, certain conditions remain that rely heavily on human generosity and selflessness for treatment. At the forefront of this altruistic medical movement is the “Be the Match” Foundation, an organization dedicated to saving lives through bone marrow and cord blood transplantation.

What Is To Be A Match?

Founded in 1987, “Be the Match” is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). It is the world’s largest and most diverse bone marrow registry, with millions of registered donors and cord blood units. The foundation facilitates thousands of transplants yearly for patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders. Their mission is straightforward yet profound: to provide a fighting chance at life for every needy patient

What Is To Be A Match?

Becoming a donor is simple. The registration process involves completing a health questionnaire and providing a cheek swab sample. If you’re found to be a match, further tests are conducted to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the donation. Even if you can’t be a donor, financial contributions can help sustain this life-saving initiative.

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From The Officers

Be The Match

Texas HOSA

Hi Texas HOSA! This year is the year to bring Be The Match to each and every chapter. The State team hopes to increase donations by 10% and it all starts with YOU! Be The Match is a network of donors, volunteers, medical experts, and researchers that helps patients get the crucial bone marrow transplants they need. By matching patients with a donor for
a life-saving marrow transplant, Be The Match will assist those with blood malignancies that are terminal. Throughout this, Be The Match will provide support to patients and their families to ensure a safe transplant journey. Be The Match has facilitated more than 120,000 blood stem cell transplants and 6,714 transplants last year to give patients hope for the future. Start your Be The Match journey by going to https://www.bethematchhosa.org to get started! The Be The Match website has everything you could ever need to get started on including
Be The Match into a chapter’s normal HOSA meetings!


Things to Note:
-Every chapter MUST re-register their chapter every year to create accurate donation reading!
-Donations and adding people to the register both count towards points on the Be The Match leaderboard! The more points the better so make sure to stay active on your Be The Match account!
-Fundraisers can be swabbing events! Building care Kits or something of service, not just collecting donations!Always remember “Swab For The Culture. Save A Life.”
-Students who earn 20 or more service hours can earn a cord for graduation!
-Be The Match helps thousands so be one of hundreds that contributes

For HOSA members, the new school year is not just about textbooks and exams or returning to the classroom; it’s a chance to take one step closer to their dreams of making a difference in the world of healthcare. With a strong commitment to personal growth, skill development, and community service, HOSA empowers its members to become the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. As these dedicated students embark on their journey back to school, they do so with a clear vision and a burning passion to create a healthier and more compassionate world.

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From The Officers

Area 1 Back to School

Texas HOSA

As the summer comes to its end, it’s time for a new year, a new chapter to begin! Around Texas, hallways are buzzing with excitement, lockers are being filled with textbooks, and the anticipation of a fresh start is palpable. Yes, it’s that time of the year again—back to school! For members of HOSA, this is more than just another school year; it’s an opportunity to embark on a personal journey toward a greater goal, whether that be success in competition or discovering a passion in the medical field!

For HOSA members, the new school year is not just about textbooks and exams or returning to the classroom; it’s a chance to take one step closer to their dreams of making a difference in the world of healthcare. With a strong commitment to personal growth, skill development, and community service, HOSA empowers its members to become the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. As these dedicated students embark on their journey back to school, they do so with a clear vision and a burning passion to create a healthier and more compassionate world.

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From The Officers

Area 3 Chapter Spotlight

Texas HOSA

Emerson HOSA’s Lifesaving Impact: Three Blood Drives, 180+ Pints, and a $1,000 Grant

In a world where uncertainty remains the only constant, Emerson HOSA in McKinney, TX, has firmly planted its feet on the ground, demonstrating unwavering commitment to community service. Through its partnership with Carter BloodCare, Emerson HOSA has played a pivotal role in making a lasting impact on people’s lives. This is their story of inspiration, determination, and community engagement through organizing three life-altering blood drives in the past year.


The need was critical

The Covid-19 pandemic strained healthcare resources worldwide, creating a critical need for blood donations. Yet, many potential donors stayed away from blood banks due to health concerns. It was amid these challenging circumstances that Emerson HOSA took the initiative to organize three blood drives in partnership with Carter BloodCare, a well-known community blood center that serves hospitals in North, Central, and East Texas.

Making a lifesaving difference

Through meticulous planning and execution, Emerson HOSA managed to collect over 180 pints of blood in their three drives. Each pint of blood can save up to three lives, meaning Emerson HOSA has indirectly been a lifesaver to around 540 individuals. Whether it’s for surgeries, emergencies, or long-term treatments, these donations have become a beacon of hope and life for many in need.

Monetary Boost: $1000 grant

As a recognition of their incredible work and to fuel further initiatives, Carter Bloodcare awarded Emerson HOSA a grant of $1,000. This fund will not only bolster HOSA’s community service activities but also serve as a motivating factor for students and community members to participate more actively in similar initiatives. It’s a win-win scenario, encouraging both donors and organizers to continue their lifesaving work.

Looking ahead

The journey does not end here. Emerson HOSA has ambitious plans for the future. Building on their success and the recently acquired grant, they aim to widen the scope of their community service endeavors. The goal is not just to organize more blood drives, but to explore other avenues where they can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

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Officers

History

History of Texas HOSA

When one looks at the strong, healthy, ever‑growing organization that Texas HOSA has become.