Who are medical laboratory professionals?
Medical laboratory professionals are individuals who work in allied health in several capacities.
Laboratory assistants aid the clinical laboratory by receiving samples, centrifuging and delivering samples, as well as sometimes performing phlebotomy.
Phlebotomists are medical professionals trained to draw blood from a patient for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations, or research. Phlebotomists collect blood primarily by performing venipunctures (or, for collection of minute quantities of blood, fingersticks).
A medical laboratory technician (MLT), also known as a clinical laboratory technician, is an allied health professional who holds a two-year associate degree. A medical laboratory scientist (MLS), also known as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist, is an allied health professional who holds a four-year bachelor’s level degree. Both of these professionals analyze and test body fluids and tissues. This includes blood, urine, CSF, synovial fluid, all types of tissue samples, and almost any type of sample removed from a patient for testing. They are responsible for operating and maintaining complex analyzers that are used in a laboratory and ensuring the laboratory results of each patient are accurate and timely.
Who is ASCLS?
The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) is a professional organization that provides advocacy, standards setting, education (professional and continuing), and personal and professional development for clinical laboratory science practitioners. To learn more visit: http://www.ascls.org/
What is a virtual race?
A virtual race, unlike a traditional race, can be run at any time during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 14-20, 2024) and can be run anywhere. Participants can walk, use a treadmill, run outside, or even run in another race concurrently. Participants can perform this race at any speed they like.
Lab Week Run has had participants run, walk, push baby strollers, walk their dog, hike, and even kayak to complete the 5K (3.1 miles) distance. Virtual races can be completed all together or over time, whenever and however is most convenient for the participant.
Who is Lab Week Run for?
Anyone and everyone, but especially for medical laboratory professionals! We encourage laboratory professionals to invite their friends and family to join in the fun! All funds raised will go to travel grants helping the members of the ASCLS Ascending Professionals Forum and Developing Professionals Forum to attend the ASCLS Annual Meeting and the Laboratory Legislative Symposium. The travel grants allow members to attend these events who may not have the means to otherwise.
Why is Lab Week Run held as a virtual race?
ASCLS is a professional organization comprised of hardworking clinical laboratory professionals located all over the United States. Coordinating local runs would be an impossible task with our organization’s demographics. Holding the Lab Week Run as a virtual race provides flexibility in time, location, and allows for more professionals to participate. We can share our photos and participation stories on www.labweekrun.com and Facebook after the race.
Who can participate?
Anyone and everyone! We encourage medical laboratory professionals to participate but also to invite friends and family as well. There are no restrictions and no age limits. We are based in the United States but international participation is welcome as well (additional shipping costs will be applied to international purchases).
Can I complete the race with a group? Do we get any discounts as a group?
Racing with groups is encouraged! Receive a $5 discount per medal for quantities of 5+
Do you have a flyer I can share with my hospital, school, or community?
Do I have to complete the distance all at one time or can I break it up into different days?
It is up to you! If you would like to do the race all at once, then you can! If you want to break it up and do it over the course of the week, that is fine, too! Participants in past Lab Week Runs have completed the distance in many ways, and not everyone ran or walked! We have had hikers, participants push baby strollers, lawn mowers, kayaks and more!
When will I receive my finisher medal and race bib?
The 2023 Lab Week Run is shipping orders in real time until Medical Laboratory Professionals Week or we sell out of race packets, whichever comes first. Be sure to confirm your shipping address is up to date through PayPal before ordering to avoid delays in delivery.
Do the medals come with a ribbon?
Yes! Every medal will come with a ribbon.
Where are race funds going?
Funds raised will benefit the ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum (formerly Student Forum) and the Ascending Professionals Forum (formerly the New Professionals New Members Forum).
More about ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum and Ascending Professionals Forum:
Purpose of the Developing Professionals Forum and the Ascending Professionals Forum is to engage and inform individuals new to the profession and ASCLS about the various opportunities that membership affords. Forum driven activities will support the needs and interests of forum members.
The ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum coordinates the involvement and interest of students of the medical laboratory profession in the Society.
The Ascending Professionals Forum (APF) addresses the needs of new professionals and new members while preparing participants for future roles in leadership.
Travel grants for students, new professionals, and new members allow those who are just now starting out in their careers to have the means to attend and participate in ASCLS national meetings and the Laboratory Legislative Symposium who otherwise might not be able to be involved.
Can I have a tax receipt for a tax write off?
Unfortunately no, ASCLS is a not-for-profit organization so we are unable to offer this.
What if I just want to donate without registering?
Donations are always appreciated and will benefit the ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum and the Ascending Professionals Forum Travel Grants, which allow more students and new professionals to get involved by attending the Laboratory Legislative Symposium held in the fall in Washington, DC, or the ASCLS Annual Meeting held in June.
To make a donation please click the PayPal button below:
I don’t live in the United States, can I still participate?
You may participate, but you will be charged additional shipping costs on your race packet. Please email us BEFORE you sign up so that we may ensure that delivery is possible and give you an estimate of the shipping costs.
Participants working overseas on U.S. Military Bases can participate with no additional shipping costs as we are able to ship the race packets without these added charges. Please email us prior to signing up to determine if we are able to ship to your location. We have had several Lab Week Run participants participate from outside of the country including bases in Japan and Spain! Thank you for your service!
Still have questions? Email us at admin@labweekrun.com and we will answer any questions you may have.