Teen infected with West Nile honored for organizing blood drive

IDAHO FALLS -- A Firth teenager infected with West Nile Virus as a child was honored by the American Red Cross earlier this month for organizing a blood drive.

Skyler Auclaire was eight-years-old when he contracted the West Nile Virus, a disease transmitted to humans through mosquitos. He was the first pediatric case in east Idaho.

"When I got diagnosed ten years ago, I just went to sleep one night," Skyler remembers. "My mom came home from working nights and I didn’t know who she was. I was also biting the right side of my tongue."

Skyler was rushed to Portneuf Medical Center where he would stay the next month and a half.

He had an intense fever, was in and out of a coma and nearly lost his life.

"Pressure on my brain caused me to have stroke-like symptoms where I couldnt move the whole right side of my body," Skyler tells EastIdahoNews.com.

Eventually Skyler was released from the hospital but it took years for him to recover. Skyler lost the motor functions of the right side of his body – similar to effects of someone who has experienced a stroke. He was forced to relearn basic skills like tying his shoes and buttoning his shirt. He was forced to learn how to walk again.

Now, ten years later, he’s using his near-death experience to help provide life to others.

Last April, he organized a blood drive at Firth High School. 39 people showed up and 34 units of blood were collected.

"I want to make sure everybody knows that when they give blood, they’re helping somebody," Skyler says.

The American Red Cross of Greater Idaho selected Skyler as one of their 2017 "East Idaho Real Heroes." He was honored during a luncheon in Idaho Falls March 2.

"I want blood donors to feel like they accomplished something," Skyler says. "They may not see it and it may not happen for a little wihle but they’re helping somebody else."