A Celebration of Life: Honoring the Heroes of Our Community
A Celebration of Life is an annual event that shines a spotlight on the extraordinary individuals and groups who go above and beyond to support our community. These lifesavers play a vital role in ensuring a steady and healthy blood supply, and their unwavering dedication is crucial for saving lives. The event offers an opportunity to recognize and thank them for their continuous efforts.
The event at the Berry Center began with a heartfelt lunch, followed by inspiring speeches from Fulshear Police Department Captain Mike McCoy and the Abbate family. Captain McCoy shared his personal experience with blood donations, while the Abbates introduced their son, Josh —a boy scout who relied on blood transfusions during his cancer treatment. In a deeply moving moment, Josh was reunited on stage with the donor whose contribution helped him during his cancer recovery.
The day culminated in an award ceremony where ten outstanding individuals and organizations were recognized for their dedication to the cause. The recipients of this year’s awards were:
- New Group of the Year: Chick-fil-A at Jones Rd
- High School of the Year: Kingwood Park High School
- Church of the Year: Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church
- College/Education of the Year: Texas A&M University at Galveston
- Blood Drive of the Year: Toshiba
- Hospital of the Year: The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
- Volunteer of the Year: Jose Gomez
- Group of the Year: Magnolia West High School
- Bill T. Teague Award: Faizbano Rayani
- Recruiter of the Year: Susan Rasch
As the day came to a close, A Celebration of Life served as a powerful reminder of the immense impact that each individual and group has on the health and well-being of our community. We left the Berry Center inspired by the incredible lifesavers who tirelessly work to ensure a steady blood supply, knowing that together, we can continue making a life-changing difference for those in need. Here's to the unwavering dedication of our community—may their efforts continue to inspire and save lives for years to come.