Idaho Falls man honored for donating massive amount of blood - East Idaho News
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Idaho Falls man honored for donating massive amount of blood

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The winners of the 2016 East Idaho Real Heroes awards were announced at the American Red Cross’s annual luncheon Thursday, Feb. 25. Each day, through March 7, EastIdahoNews.com will feature a different winner.

IDAHO FALLS — In November 1950, Reginald Reeves, with Duane Lloyd and other organizers, challenged fellow University of Idaho students to give blood at the first university-sponsored blood drive in the nation.

When U of I issued a challenge to others schools, Harvard University took up the challenge and other schools followed. The U of I staked its reputation as “The Bloodiest Campus in the Nation”. One year, 59 percent of the U of I students body donated blood.

reginald

Reginald recalls that one year he went to the local train station where students had gathered to see off the university football team. He grabbed a cheerleader’s megaphone and exhorted the crowd to follow him, leading a serpentine back up to the student union where a blood drive was being held.

Reginald may not lead a serpentine these days, but he still serves as a role model. At last count, he has donated 269 units of blood to the Red Cross, helping to save many hundreds of lives.

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