Blood donation record set Monday in Havre

Leroy Keller isn't sure when he started giving blood.

"It was around 1955 or 1956," the Hill County farmer said Monday as he sat in a chair at St. Jude's Parish Center, giving blood once again.

This was a landmark donation. He has given a total of 35 gallons of blood in his life.

To Keller, it wasn't that much of a deal.

But to American Red Cross volunteers, it marked quite an accomplishment.

"This is far and away the record for this city," said Dee Bitz, who runs the blood drives for the American Red Cross.

He's given blood at every blood drive since 1956, he said, except for a couple of times when he was sick and unable to donate.

Why does he continually donate?

"Because people need it," he said. "They say that every pint helps three people."

Keller himself has never needed a transfusion, but says he's glad blood will be there if he ever needs it.

Donating blood is a family tradition.

Clarence "Fritz" Keller, his brother, trails in the family with 27 gallons of blood.

His late sister had donated seven gallons.

Next time they have a blood drive at St. Jude's, Leroy Keller will be back donating blood.

How long will he be donating blood?

"As long as I'm able," he said