ASCP Laboratory Day of Service

The ASCP Laboratory Day of Service is a way for laboratory professionals and pathologists to transform their passion for this field into service that both empowers members and strengthens communities.

Taking place during Lab Week, the ASCP Day of Service is an opportunity to demonstrate how much the laboratory cares for our communities through acts of service, building awareness for how the laboratory serves patients, and shedding light on the incredible roles within the laboratory.

When local, impactful groups of service-minded, passionate medical laboratory professionals and pathologists coordinate activities for their ASCP Day of Service, patients win, students win, the community wins, and everyone who works in the laboratory wins.

How to Participate

ASCP Ambassadors are encouraged to take the lead and:

  • Research local opportunities (or create one).
  • Choose the day (or days!) during Lab Week you will be organizing an event.
  • Plan your activity: will you host an Ambassador-type student or community laboratory awareness event or a giveback volunteer service project (see ideas, right)?
  • Maybe the answer is both!
    • Recruit others from your laboratory to participate.
    • If you’re an ASCP chapter member, you might consider expanding your team and doing something with the chapter or cross-organizationally with other chapter members.
    • Consider this flexibility within a framework: make this your own!
  • During the activity, you’re encouraged to share with those you’re serving that it’s Medical Laboratory Professionals Week and what that means.
  • Expand your reach by inviting local media to cover your event. Curious about how to make that happen? View the Media Savviness for Laboratories roundtable presented on 3/7/2024 (link provided in the ASCP Communities) and download a copy of the written media guide.
  • Last but not least: after the activity, submit an Ambassador Activity Report and post on social media using hashtags #ASCP #ASCPLabWeek #ASCPDayOfService

We are asking ASCP Ambassadors worldwide to embrace the ASCP Day of Service—and work individually or collectively to complete a project or event that improves the lives of others—and then tell the story.

Not an Ambassador and wish to lead a Laboratory Day of Service project or event? Email membership@ascp.org to make your ambassadorship official.

“It’s inspiring to know that Ambassadors are participating in projects that improve our communities—each one of us playing a role in something much bigger than all of us.”

Kerwin Kolheffer, MS, PA (ASCP)CM, ASCP Ambassador since 2013

Activity Ideas

Ambassador Events

  • Match with an elementary/middle/high school group of students, Girl or Boy Scout group, library, or other community-based group to meet with young people about the laboratory, influencing their future career choice
  • Host a NextPo To Go (see “how to” guide in the Ambassadors Community)
  • Organize a lunch ‘n learn with medical students to showcase the influence and prowess of pathology

Service Projects

You are encouraged to be creative! These are simply ideas and do not indicate affiliation or endorsements of these organizations; local opportunities with organizations may vary, so contact your local office to understand their needs and the scope of volunteering with them.

Educators, activate your students for a service project!