Regional West Foundation Awards $7,830 in West Nebraska Blood Center Scholarships

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― The Regional West Foundation Board of Directors recently announced that $7,830 in scholarships was awarded to six students through the West Nebraska Blood Center, located at Regional West Medical Center.

Blood and platelets drawn at the Blood Center are supplied to Regional West Medical Center and other hospitals throughout the Nebraska panhandle. In addition to drawing volunteer donor blood, the Blood Center collects autologous blood, which is blood for people who choose to use their own blood supply during a planned surgery. 

Students receiving Blood Center scholarships are pursuing a degree in laboratory medicine, including medical laboratory scientist, medical laboratory technician, cytotechnologist, histotechnologist, pathologist assistant, and pathologist. Scholarship awards are split between the 2025 fall and 2026 spring semesters. 

Tasha Knaub, Scottsbluff (formerly Pittsfield, Illinois), was awarded a $3,830 scholarship. She is pursuing a Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. 

Amy Le, Lincoln, earned a $1,000 scholarship. She is pursuing a Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.

Karalyn Stevens, Sidney, received a $1,000 scholarship. She is pursuing a Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.

K’lyn White, Omaha, was awarded a $500 scholarship. She is pursuing a Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha.

Kohre Whittington, Omaha, earned a $500 scholarship. She is pursuing a Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha.

Madeline Wittstruck, Milford, received a $1,000 scholarship. She is pursuing a Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.

In order to save lives, blood must be on the shelf, ready for transfusion. Sixty percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, yet only 5% of those eligible actually donate. This is why the employees at West Nebraska Blood Center work actively to recruit and retain repeat blood donors in the community. Donating blood or platelets is a simple and safe process. To donate, you must meet the following requirements: be in good health, be 17 years of age or older, and weigh more than 115 pounds. Located at 4021 Avenue B in Scottsbluff, West Nebraska Blood Center at Regional West Medical Center is open Monday through Wednesday and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, call the center at 308-630-2477.

The Regional West Foundation was established in 1972 to support the health system’s mission of excellence in healthcare. Today, the Foundation's success is a continuation of a long and proud tradition of community support for superior healthcare services in the communities it serves. 

About Regional West
Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. Since 1924, Regional West has served the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming through innovative healthcare services. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West offers an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics.