{"id":147994,"date":"2026-03-09T21:50:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:50:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=147994"},"modified":"2026-03-09T21:50:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:50:29","slug":"miller-keystone-blood-center-announces-2026-mkbc-impact-award-recipients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=147994","title":{"rendered":"MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER ANNOUNCES 2026 MKBC IMPACT AWARD RECIPIENTS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>LEHIGH VALLEY \u2013 Officials at Miller-Keystone Blood Center have announced the recipients of its 2026 <strong>MKBC Impact Awards. <\/strong>The awards were presented during an event held on Tuesday, March 3, at DeSales University.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur Impact Awards were created as a way to say thank you and celebrate the incredible difference our blood donors, blood drive hosts, blood drive coordinators, funders, volunteers, and ambassadors make &#8211; not only for our organization, but for our entire community,\u201d said Rami Nemeh, President &amp; CEO of Miller-Keystone Blood Center.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s Impact Award recipients include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>George Ashman Award for Blood Drive Coordinator of the Year:<\/strong><br \/>\nKevin Unger, St. Peter\u2019s UCC (West Lawn, PA)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blood Drive of the Year \u2013 Business: <\/strong>Aman\u2019s Artisan Indian Cuisine (Easton, PA)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blood Drive of the Year \u2013 Community: <\/strong>Kempton Excavating \/ Kempton Community Blood Drive (Kempton, PA)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Angela Hohl Award for High School Blood Drive of the Year: <\/strong>Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School (Bethlehem, PA)<\/li>\n<li><strong>MKBC Volunteer of the Year: <\/strong>Shayne Murray (Easton, PA)<\/li>\n<li><strong>MKBC Ambassador of the Year: <\/strong>Sofia Groves (Allentown, PA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"su-image-carousel  su-image-carousel-columns-3 su-image-carousel-has-spacing su-image-carousel-crop su-image-carousel-crop-4-3 su-image-carousel-has-lightbox su-image-carousel-has-outline su-image-carousel-slides-style-default su-image-carousel-controls-style-dark su-image-carousel-align-center\" style=\"max-width:100%\" data-flickity-options='{\"groupCells\":true,\"cellSelector\":\".su-image-carousel-item\",\"adaptiveHeight\":false,\"cellAlign\":\"left\",\"prevNextButtons\":true,\"pageDots\":true,\"autoPlay\":3000,\"imagesLoaded\":true,\"contain\":true,\"selectedAttraction\":0.007000000000000000145716771982051795930601656436920166015625,\"friction\":0.25}' id=\"su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Murray-Volunteer.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"MKBC Volunteer of the Year: Shayne Murray (Easton, PA) PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-0\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Murray-Volunteer-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Murray-Volunteer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Murray-Volunteer-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Murray-Volunteer-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Murray-Volunteer-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Murray-Volunteer.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><span>MKBC Volunteer of the Year: Shayne Murray (Easton, PA) PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Unger-Coordinator.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"George Ashman Award for Blood Drive Coordinator of the Year: Kevin Unger, St. Peter\u2019s UCC (West Lawn, PA)\n PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-1\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Unger-Coordinator-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Unger-Coordinator-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Unger-Coordinator-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Unger-Coordinator-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Unger-Coordinator-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Unger-Coordinator.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><span>George Ashman Award for Blood Drive Coordinator of the Year: Kevin Unger, St. Peter\u2019s UCC (West Lawn, PA)\n PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Amans-BusinessBloodDr.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Blood Drive of the Year \u2013 Business: Aman\u2019s Artisan Indian Cuisine (Easton, PA)\n PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-2\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Amans-BusinessBloodDr-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Amans-BusinessBloodDr-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Amans-BusinessBloodDr-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Amans-BusinessBloodDr-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Amans-BusinessBloodDr-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Amans-BusinessBloodDr.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><span>Blood Drive of the Year \u2013 Business: Aman\u2019s Artisan Indian Cuisine (Easton, PA)\n PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Groves_Ambassador.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"MKBC Ambassador of the Year: Sofia Groves (Allentown, PA)\n PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-3\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Groves_Ambassador-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Groves_Ambassador-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Groves_Ambassador-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Groves_Ambassador-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Groves_Ambassador-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Groves_Ambassador.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><span>MKBC Ambassador of the Year: Sofia Groves (Allentown, PA)\n PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Kwmpton-CommBloodDr.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Blood Drive of the Year \u2013 Community: Kempton Excavating \/ Kempton Community Blood Drive (Kempton, PA) PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-4\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Kwmpton-CommBloodDr-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Kwmpton-CommBloodDr-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Kwmpton-CommBloodDr-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Kwmpton-CommBloodDr-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Kwmpton-CommBloodDr-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MKBC_26IA_Kwmpton-CommBloodDr.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><span>Blood Drive of the Year \u2013 Community: Kempton Excavating \/ Kempton Community Blood Drive (Kempton, PA) PHOTO CREDIT:  Marco Calderon<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><script id=\"su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1_script\">if(window.SUImageCarousel){setTimeout(function() {window.SUImageCarousel.initGallery(document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1\"))}, 0);}var su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1_script=document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1_script\");if(su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1_script){su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1_script.parentNode.removeChild(su_image_carousel_69ed3e74a86e1_script);}<\/script>\n<p>PHOTO CREDIT:\u00a0 Marco Calderon<\/p>\n<p>Information provided to TVL by:<br \/>\nMarie Clemens<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LEHIGH VALLEY \u2013 Officials at Miller-Keystone Blood Center have announced the recipients of its 2026 MKBC Impact Awards. The awards were presented during an event held on Tuesday, March 3, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=147994\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER ANNOUNCES 2026 MKBC IMPACT AWARD RECIPIENTS<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":147013,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[69,482],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-147994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-valley","category-press-release-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/miller-keystone.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147994"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=147994"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147994\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/147013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=147994"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=147994"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=147994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}