Man (69) donates blood for 325th time
Mr O’Reilly started donating blood in 1965 when he had just finished school, and has had a passion for it ever since.
SINCE he was a post-matriculant, Robin O’Reilly has been donating blood as often as he could. On Tuesday, June 6, he donated for the 325th time!
Robin, an Alberton resident, started donating blood in 1965 when he had just finished school, and has had a passion for it ever since. He’s turning 70 this November. “I feel good after donating – it’s like a detox for the blood. Also, there are plenty of people out there in need of blood and this is my way of helping,” he humbly says.
As for bad experiences or fainting after donating blood, Robin says there was only one incident when the needle missed his vein – but he never fainted, not even once. What a trooper!
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) branch in Alberton City was the lucky recipient of Robin’s blood, which is of the A-positive type. This is obviously an amazing milestone and they thanked Mr O’Reilly with cake, cappuccino, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and plenty of warm smiles.
Blood Donor Month:
As South Africa celebrates Blood Donor Month in June, SANBS would like to acknowledge the ordinary South Africans just like Robin, who selflessly gives the gift of life to strangers.
“South Africa is well acquainted with heroes. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Nkosi Johnson, Natalie du Toit – they are widely fêted and acknowledged. But there are scores of other unacknowledged heroes in South Africa, the thousands of ordinary men and women who regularly donate blood, selflessly and without expectation of a reward or recognition,” says Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS.
“Blood Donor Month, and World Blood Donor Day, which is celebrated globally on 14 June, is for them. It gives us the opportunity to acknowledge their gift and to say thank you. Thank you for saving countless lives. Thank you for giving them a lifetime of memories. Your selflessness is not unrecognised, nor will it ever be forgotten,” she adds.
Most needed:
Mlambo says the theme for World Blood Donor Day 2017 is blood donation in emergencies. While the global campaign is aimed at helping people in emergency situations, such as natural disasters and trauma situations, Mlambo says incidents of trauma make up only a fraction of the demand for blood in South Africa.
“By far the greatest proportion of blood is required in other situations, such as in childbirth and for cancer patients. In South Africa blood shortages occur most often during school holidays and they are predominantly caused by lower collections of blood as a result of schools and universities closing and the demand staying consistent,” says Mlambo.
She calls on all South Africans to donate blood. “So many people in life-threatening situations require blood. One simple action can make a huge difference. For the donor, it’s a few minutes every 56 days. For the recipient, it’s helping them live so they can create a lifetime of memories. Become a donor, it’s not just blood. It’s saving a nation,” she says.
To donate blood, feel free to pay a visit to SANBS Alberton City. To find out more about donating, visit sanbs.org.za or call 080 011 9031.
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