Spring 2025 Influencer Scholarship Winners
The Spring 2025 Influencer Scholarship Contest has concluded, and winners have been chosen. Thank you to every high school senior who submitted an entry. The time and thoughtfulness the class of 2025 put into their submissions encouraged donations and saved lives across North, Central and East Texas. Every submission was lifesaving for a local patient; however, there can only be two winners.
The winners of the Spring 2025 Carter BloodCare Influencer Scholarship Contest are Angelica Olvera, from Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, and Madeline Gamez, from Midway High School in Waco!
Angelica just finished high school at Lake Ridge, and she’ll head to Texas Tech University in the fall to study civil engineering. In her words, she wants to become a civil engineer so she can support her community and make a difference for people.
Her desire to help others is the main reason why she wanted to enter the contest. Donating blood and advocating for blood donation is an easy and cost-effective way to make a difference. The scholarship will also help her achieve her goals in college.
“I was ecstatic to find out about this scholarship opportunity,” Angelica said. “Not only because it would contribute to my ability to pay for college, but also because it would give me the opportunity to show the people in my life how much blood donation means to me and hopefully persuade them to donate.”
Angelica has been donating at the Mansfield Donor Center for a little more than a year, since she turned 17 and became eligible to donate blood. She says the staff are helpful, and they make the donation process quick and smooth with great conversation. Although Angelica doesn’t personally know anyone who has needed a transfusion, she knows the impact blood can have on those who need it and is always encouraging others to donate.
“I know there are a lot of people who… have a fear of needles or blood, and so many more that need blood every day,” Angelica said. “I want to do everything in my power to help them out. The peace of mind that blood donation gives me in knowing that my blood is helping someone survive has had a great impact on my life.”
Donating blood isn’t just a life-saving action; it’s an identity. Being a donor is an identity Angelica embraces and celebrates, and it’s an identity she’ll carry long into her future.
“My mindset on blood donation has always been if I have the ability to help people, why wouldn’t I?” Angelica said. “I’ll always find a way to continue donating blood because it’s my way of giving back to the community.”
Madeline will attend college at Mississippi State University, where she’ll study meteorology. Her goal is to one day work for the National Weather Service, where she’ll help millions of Americans prepare for storm systems. For now, she’s helping others through advocating for blood donation.
Madeline comes from a family of long-time blood donors and blood donation advocates. She knew the Influencer Scholarship Contest was the perfect opportunity for her to fulfill two life goals at once.
“I felt compelled to enter this scholarship after seeing the incredible impact Carter BloodCare had had on my community,” Madeline said. “Growing up, my family has always been passionate about donating blood, and they’ve often shared stories about how something as simple as blood donation can save lives. Their example showed me that even small acts of service can make a huge difference.”
The other life goal Madeline hopes to fulfill one day is to graduate from college with no student loan debt. Advocating for blood donation is helping her start to achieve that goal.
“This scholarship means so much more to me than just financial support,” Madeline said. “It represents peace of mind and the opportunity to focus on my education. It will significantly reduce the financial burden on my family and help me work toward my goal of graduating debt-free. With this scholarship, I’m one step closer to building a future with more freedom, stability and the ability to give back.”
Part of the reason Madeline and her family have long been advocates for blood donation is because they’ve seen the impact blood transfusions have on local patients. The Gamez family watched friends receive lifesaving transfusions, and they know how important it is to donate.
“Blood donation has had a deeply personal impact on my friend Megan S. and her family,” Madeline said. “At one point, her father needed blood donations, and, thanks to blood donors, he was able to receive the support he needed. Years later, Megan also needed a blood transfusion.”
Madeline plans to donate blood throughout college at Mississippi State and will continue being an advocate. She knows the power of her friend’s story and what it means to be able to help out.
“Megan and her father, their story shows how the simple act of donating blood can come full circle, saving lives, supporting families and leaving a lasting legacy of hope.”
On behalf of everyone at Carter BloodCare, congratulations to Angelica and Madeline, and thank you to everyone who participated.
Submissions open on August 1 for the Fall 2025 Influencer Scholarship Contest.