Students at Sherrard High School lined up and gave blood in honor of a fallen veteran Tuesday, February 18, 2014.
Corporal B.J. Luxmore was in the U.S. Army just more than one year before he was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 10, 2012. He was a 2005 graduate of Sherrard High School.
Student leaders at Sherrard decided to begin the first B.J. Luxmore Memorial Blood Drive in hopes of saving lives.
"I didn't know him personally but some people in this school knew him so they came and donated blood," said Sherrard senior Eva Lambert.
Tuesday was the eighth time that Lambert had donated blood, making her a gallon donor.
"You're saving people's lives when you donate," said Lambert.
"We have lost approximately 2,000 donations in our region this year due to inclement weather," said Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Spokesman Kirby Winn.
That's approximately 20% lower than it should be, according to Winn.
If you would like to find your nearest Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, click here.
But after Sherrard students' donations are filled, it could put a small dent into that number. And even though donations may be down, donors like Eva Lambert will continue to do their part.
"I plan on donating more," Lambert said.
Because Eva is saving lives, one gallon at a time.
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