Background

The first Lab Week Run was held in 2016 with volunteer leader Ally Storla as the driving force. The run was created to increase visibility of laboratory professionals, promote interest in the laboratory profession, and bring together current laboratory professionals to foster relationships, connections, and recognition of laboratory professionals in the world around us. The Lab Week Run additionally was created to support ASCLS professional development activities as a fundamental principle. While planning the run, Ally reached out to medal designer and manufacturer, Ashworth Awards, where she was connected to John Breen. John eagerly took on the project as his mother, Cynthia L Breen, was a Hematologist and he was very proud of the work she did. It was a serendipitous connection that proved how powerful and important the work of laboratory professionals is.

Purpose

In honor of Cynthia and John’s impact on the Lab Week Run, the Ascending Professionals Forum has provided the funding for this award in her memory to support projects that stay true to the purpose of the Lab Week Run:

  • Promote interest in the laboratory profession.
  • Foster relationships among current laboratory professionals
  • Strengthen recognition of laboratory professionals and their connections to the world outside the laboratory.

Goal

To support projects that:

  • promote interest in and visibility of the clinical laboratory profession.
  • develop community and connections of laboratory professionals.
  • build connections between laboratory professionals and those in our communities outside the laboratory.
  • promote diversity and inclusion initiatives within the laboratory community.
  • support new professional development projects held by grassroots advocates.

Award Benefits

Up to $1000 will be awarded annually for projects that meet at least one of the goals of the award. Multiple small awards may be given out each year and may not cover the full budget of the project.

Eligible Candidates

Applicants must be current members of ASCLS. Applicants must present a budget and implementation plan. Money will not be awarded for annual meetings, conferences, etc that are currently in existence.

Application

The award application will consist of:

  1. Completed and signed application form
  2. A letter of recommendation from a decision-maker who will impact the success of implementation (e.g. member of management if done at work)
  3. A budget and implementation plan
  4. Description of project: Please include whom and how many people this project/activity will benefit. How will the project/activity you are organizing meet one or more of the goals of the award? How will you measure the success of the program?

Deadline

Application deadline is October 1 of each year. Awardees will be notified by December 1 and funds issued around January 1.