GiveBack365, a new community initiative and website sponsored by COLA, aims to build public awareness and support of laboratory medicine by encouraging industry partners to “give back” and help to enrich the lives of current and future laboratory professionals, 365 days a year.

The program provides resources for current and future laboratory professionals while encouraging industry partners—including laboratories of all sizes, educational institutions, regulatory agencies, membership organizations, and manufacturers—to  get involved in promoting the value of laboratory medicine.

The initiative encompasses four key components: disaster relief resources, scholarships, student enrichment, and student mentoring.

The initiative’s website provides resources and support for the use of laboratories before, during, and after a natural disaster occurs, including tips for safeguarding laboratory environments. The initiative also offers $500 scholarships to aid students currently pursuing a degree in the field of medical laboratory science within an accredited program. Industry partners can donate to the scholarship fund to help support the future of laboratory medicine. Scholarship levels are available from bronze ($500) to gold ($2,500). One hundred percent of industry donations go toward awarding scholarships to qualified applicants.

The COLA initiative also offers a school speaking kit, career posters, videos, and interactive laboratory experiments, and connects students who are considering or currently pursuing an MLT or MLS degree with professionals in the industry who can help answer their career questions. Additionally, the initiative’s website offers a comprehensive FAQ section about laboratory careers. Industry partners can sign up to provide general or specific mentoring advice.

Douglas Beigel, COLA.

Douglas Beigel, COLA.

The initiative was built around the idea of creating a unique, community-reinforcing program that builds awareness about the clinical laboratory profession, says Douglas Beigel, CEO of COLA. “With so many medical laboratory technology and science programs closing their doors, there is a greater need than ever before to spread knowledge and interest in the profession among students of all ages, to ensure the future of quality laboratory medicine.”

For more information, visit GiveBack365.