Connecticut Blood Center Awards SHU for Helping Save Lives

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—One thousand sixty-two is the number of lives Sacred Heart University has potentially helped save in the past year alone through the nine blood drives its students, faculty and staff hosted in 2024.

For its commitment to the cause, Connecticut Blood Center recently presented the University with an award, acknowledging the work the SHU community does to help provide a constantly needed supply of life-saving blood.

Jonathan DeCasanova, Connecticut Blood Center’s s account manager, was proud to award SHU for its willingness to not only meet the challenge to support the need for blood but to exceed expectations.

“The certificate was specifically handed out to groups that hosted four or more blood drives in 2024,” he said. “Many of our colleges will host more than that, but SHU hosted nine blood drives, more than double the criteria for the recognition.”

DeCasanova, who also oversees the center’s mobile operations for the state, added that SHU shows time and again that it is willing to go the extra mile when it comes to helping the community. “Regarding the SHU staff and faculty, I can tell you that we see higher engagement with them at the blood drives than at any other college or university blood drive in Connecticut,” he said.

Connecticut Blood Center’s website states that one pint of blood can save up to three lives. Since SHU began conducting blood drives on campus in 2022, the University community has donated 1,421 units of blood. That’s a potential total of 4,263 lives saved.

About Sacred Heart University

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu