Hoxworth CEO José Cancelas receives Hispanic Heritage Award

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Cincinnati Bengals and LifeCenter presented José Cancelas, MD, PhD, director of Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, with a Hispanic Heritage Award in recognition of his contribution to the Hispanic and Greater Cincinnati community.

LifeCenter celebrated the start of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Sunday, September 11 Bengals home game by recognizing a local leader in our community for the contributions he has made to bring awareness to blood, tissue and organ donation throughout our community and for the world recognized research he has conducted. Cancelas was honored as the Bengals Hispanic Heritage Award Recipient during a live in-game presentation during the first quarter of the Bengals vs. Steelers at Paycor Stadium. 

LifeCenter, whose mission is to save, heal and change lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation, has a longstanding relationship with Hoxworth and Cancelas, a donation champion who also serves as a LifeCenter board member.

“We are honored to nominate and present him with the Hispanic Heritage Award for his impact in the Greater Cincinnati Hispanic community and especially at this auspicious time on the cusp of National Hispanic Heritage Month beginning September 15^th through October 15^th,” said Barry Massa, LifeCenter director. “Dr. Cancelas' work and voice matter, and we thank him for his service." 

Cancelas has a 19-year-career at Hoxworth Blood Center, and began leading Hoxworth in 2018. He is the fifth director in the 83-year history of Hoxworth, the second oldest blood center in the nation. He also has served in several other positions within Hoxworth since 2000, including division director of research, medical director for the Hoxworth Cellular Therapies Division and deputy director. Cancelas remains active in Hoxworth research as co-director, with a focus on executing clinical trials.  

About Hoxworth:

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, was founded in 1938, and serves more than 30 hospitals in 18 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Annually, Hoxworth collects more than 100,000 units of blood from local donors to help save the lives of patients in area hospitals. Hoxworth Blood Center: Saving Lives Close to Home.