The World Health Organization observes World Blood Donor Day June 14 to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation. The University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives notes the strong history of faculty, staff and student participation in blood drives and blood donation on the University of Idaho campus. According to UI student newspaper The Argonaut the UI gained the reputation as the “bloodiest campus in the world” during World War II when Idaho led all colleges in the percentage of blood donated. During a 1963 drive the campus community turned out in large numbers again requiring a waiting area for willing donors.

The 1962 and 1963 blood drives continued the University of Idaho’s tradition of strong support for blood donation with 801 pints and 903 pints donated, respectively, a number far above the quota of 750 pints set for each of the two years.

Sources

PG 101-1778, PG 101-1775, PG 101-1402