Hoxworth Blood Center, Local 12 earn international recognition for lifesaving partnership
In a moment of pride for Greater Cincinnati and the national blood banking community, Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, has been honored with the 2025 Association of Donor Relations Professionals Media Partner of the Year Award in partnership with Local 12 (WKRC-TV) and health reporter Liz Bonis.
Established in 2003, this prestigious international award recognizes an exceptional media partnership that has raised awareness about blood donation and inspired lifesaving action throughout the Tristate area.
ADRP represents the world’s blood centers, donor centers and collection organizations, promoting best practices and celebrating outstanding achievements in blood donor engagement. The Media Partner of the Year Award is one of the highest honors ADRP gives annually, reserved for media organizations whose partnership has made a profound, lasting impact on local and national blood supply stability.
For five consecutive years, Local 12 has championed the mission of blood donation through multi-platform reporting — led by Liz Bonis, Cincinnati’s only dedicated health reporter. Her heartfelt and personal storytelling has not only educated the public but directly boosted the region’s donor turnout at a time when blood shortages threaten health care systems nationwide.
“This is one of the most meaningful achievements in Hoxworth’s 86-year history,” said David Oh, MD, co-director and chief medical officer of Hoxworth Blood Center. “To be recognized internationally for the powerful, consistent and lifesaving media work Local 12 provides our community is a proof to the station’s integrity, leadership and the heart Liz brings to her reporting.”
Liz Bonis features the Hoxworth Donor of the Week on Local 12
At the core of this recognition is the long-running ‘Donor of the Week’ series, a featured segment broadcasted weekly on Local 12 and across its digital platforms. Reaching more than 100,000 viewers on air and 75,000 online followers each week, these stories magnify the donors and their personal journeys behind lifesaving blood donations. These segments inspire new donors, encourage loyal ones to keep giving and remind Greater Cincinnati’s 2.2 million residents that every pint saves lives — right here at home.
Bonis’ connection to this mission is personal. Inspired by her father’s cancer battle and multiple transfusions and guided by her mother’s career as a nurse, Liz’s reporting on health and wellness has long centered on disease prevention and community health advocacy. Her voice is not just reporting facts — it’s rallying a city to save lives.
“We are forever grateful to Liz, Local 12 and ADRP for this incredible honor,” added Caroline Alquist, MD, co-director and chief executive officer of Hoxworth Blood Center. “In a world filled with competing stories, their decision to make blood donation a weekly priority is an act of public service. This award belongs to them and to every blood donor whose generosity ensures that our local patients — our neighbors, our families — have what they need in moments of crisis.”
Blood donation remains a critical public health need. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. From trauma patients to those undergoing cancer treatments and premature babies, a stable blood supply is vital for hospital systems to function. Hoxworth is the only blood supplier for more than 30 area hospitals in the Tristate, making media partnerships like this one lifesaving.
As ADRP features Hoxworth and Local 12 in its international publications and professional networks, this award shines a national spotlight on Greater Cincinnati’s tremendous spirit of generosity.
To schedule a blood donation, visit www.hoxworth.org or call (513) 451-0910. Together, we are Saving Lives Close to Home.
About ADRP
The Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals (ADRP) is the global leader in donor recruitment education, networking and recognition. With members spanning blood collection organizations worldwide, touting 1,140 members in 35 countries, ADRP sets standards and shares best practices to ensure communities have safe, stable blood supplies. www.adrp.org
About Local 12 (WKRC-TV)
A CBS affiliate, Local 12 has served Greater Cincinnati for more than 70 years with award-winning journalism, breaking news and health coverage. With a mission to inform, inspire and improve lives, Local 12’s consistent focus on community health issues has set a new standard in local broadcasting. www.local12.com/health/donor-of-the-week
About Hoxworth Blood Center
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. www.hoxworth.org
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