3rd-grader’s blood drive saves lives & nets him a PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

At the tender age of 8, third-grader Kaleb Champagne is the youngest recipient of the WDSU-TV’s “6 On Your Side Award” - which is given to individuals of any age who make a difference in their community.

A blood drive organized by the youngster will be acknowledged at Ochsner’s Bloodbank Donor Appreciation Celebration in May. He will be recognized as the youngest person to spearhead an Ochsner blood drive.

Kaleb’s drive collected 32 pints of blood, enough to save 96 lives, blood bank officials say. 

“This community service project created a lifetime of memories for Kaleb that will hopefully fuel his aspirations of becoming a doctor," Barbara Kenney, Kaleb’s teacher at Luling Elementary School, said.

"He had a vision of hope and inspiration that united his school and his community to save many lives.”

Kaleb organized the blood drive to fulfill a requirement for a class project.

He is in Kenney’s class for gifted kids.