An Eastern professor who has helped save hundreds of lives by donating blood and coordinating blood drives on campus is being praised for his efforts.

Bryan Miller, 54, has been recognized by The American Red Cross for Red Cross Month because of his relentless efforts to increase awareness about blood donation, gain more donors and organize blood drives for six years as blood drive coordinator, said Tracy Torbeck, local manager of the American Red Cross.

Miller said he has been promoting the importance of donating blood and urging his students to donate since 1989, when he began teaching anatomy at Eastern. Miller said when others began to realize he was “more interested than the average person” about blood drives, the Red Cross appointed him campus blood drive coordinator and the university asked him to be the faculty sponsor of the EIU blood drive committee.

In 1943, President Franklin Roosevelt declared March Red Cross Month and each president since then has followed his example. The month designates a time for people around the country to recognize and appreciate the local and international services and accomplishments of the American Red Cross,Torbeck said.

The Red Cross is consistently recognized for its disaster relief, but the organization also provides a safe and adequate blood supply for people needing blood transfusions and other surgeries, Torbeck said. Locally, the Missouri-Illinois blood services region provides blood and blood products to over 130 hospitals in 120 counties.

Throughout the year, Miller works on campus with the Red Cross and the EIU blood drive committee to encourage people to donate and attract sponsors for drives.

Miller organizes at least two blood drives a semester in the Grand Ballroom as well as several smaller drives throughout the year. He guides the university’s blood drive committee in planning, recruitment and administrative duties.

However, Miller said he does not limit himself to paper work and advice.

Other responsibilities can range from helping donors register, making sure they have enough food, drinks and rest to fight off lightheadedness or nausea and helping to set up and disassemble needed equipment for the drives.

Miller also donates blood between four and six times a year and encourages others to the same.

“I think it is important for everyone to donate blood,” he said. “It’s a great way to spend an hour and save a life, maybe three.”

Miller said there is a 97 percent chance a person will need blood at least once in their life, but only 5 percent of the population will donate. There is never a great overabundance of blood, which keeps him donating regularly.