Lone Star College-University Park and the University of Houston Downtown-Northwest join forces to “Sock it to Cancer!”

HOUSTON, TX -- Lone Star College-University Park (LSC-University Park) and the University of Houston Downtown-Northwest (UHD-Northwest) teamed up with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center for a successful blood drive on Sept. 25.

The event was a component of the 'Socking it to Cancer' campaign, serving dual purposes: it collected vital blood donations and raised awareness about childhood cancer. In line with the campaign, donors received a pair of socks to underscore the ongoing fight against childhood cancer.

"We are thrilled to have teamed up with LSC-University Park and UHD-Northwest for their recent blood drive,” said Cameron Palmer, public relations specialist for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. “This partnership underscores the incredible strength of our community in saving lives through blood donations and raising awareness about the ongoing need. Every donation we collected played a vital role in saving countless lives and meeting the needs of area patients. Together, we have made a meaningful impact on the well-being of our community."

Houston is home to the largest medical center complex in the world, and the need for blood products is always great. Blood drives address the critical need for donations. Each contribution, whether red blood cells, plasma, or platelets, plays a specific and vital role in medical treatments—from aiding cancer patients and trauma survivors to helping those undergoing surgeries and bone marrow transplants.

“We are incredibly proud of our strong partnership with the University of Houston Downtown-Northwest,” said Seelpa Keshvala, Ph.D., LSC-University Park Acting President. “Through initiatives like this recent blood drive, we are not only contributing to public health but also educating our community on crucial issues such as childhood cancer awareness. This event is another shining example of how our joint initiatives can create ripple effects of positive impact.”

So far in 2023, The Blood Center has accumulated a total of 116 blood products through drives conducted both by LSC-University Park in collaboration with UHD-Northwest, as well as a separate drive held by LSC-University Park campus partner iSchool.

For more information on blood donations centers in the area or to host a blood drive visit, www.giveblood.org.

LSC-University Park offers transfer-friendly courses and specialized allied health programs, complemented by extracurriculars like the student Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club for future health professionals. To find out more about programs offered at LSC-University Park or to register for classes visit, www.LoneStar.edu/StartUP, call 281-290-2600 or email UPAdvising@LoneStar.edu.

Established in 2012, Lone Star College-University Park has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative higher education institutions in the country. The college is devoted to impacting the community's prosperity and upward mobility through student success. LSC-University Park’s expert and compassionate faculty and staff provide students with holistic and immersive education and training in disciplines and industries that meet current and future workforce needs.

Located on the grounds of the former Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard's world headquarters, LSC-University Park's facilities include the Center for Science & Innovation, the Energy & Manufacturing Institute, Learning Innovation Labs, and the Geology Rock Wall. It is also home to the University of Houston-NW Downtown, Lone Star Corporate College, iSchool, and YMCA Children's Academy.

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