Ninety-year-old Mr Maurice Creswick is passionate about donating blood.
“My blood saves lives and if it can make a difference in one person’s life then that is enough for me,” said Mr Creswick.
He recently donated his 414th unit of blood at the Linksfield Blood Donor Centre.
He said he started donating blood at the age of 18.
“The first donation I did was at the Old Johannesburg Hospital. It was after I witnessed an accident and felt helpless that I could not assist,” said Mr Creswick.
Mr Creswick is a ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ record holder for donating blood for the longest period of time over his lifetime.
“I’m donating my 414th unit of blood today and I’m happy to do it. I still feel strong and if I can still do it, I see no reason why I should not donate. I will donate until my last breath,” said Mr Creswick.
SANBS public relations practitioner, Mr Sini Subrayen was there to support and witness the 414th donation.
“We are proud of Mr Creswick. He takes pride in being a donor and encourages others to become donors.
“We are concerned about his age and health but if he is willing to donate and the doctor’s are okay with it we will continue to support him,” said Mr Subrayen.
Mr Creswick’s daughter is very proud of her father.
“My father has been doing this for as long as I can remember and I’m amazed to see him at his age still continuing donating.
“He is a healthy man and is very strong. I always bring him for his donations and he never misses one,” said Mrs Ingrid Zahavi.
She added that her father is an ambassador for blood donation.
“He is always encouraging people to donate and tells people about the importance of donating. As a record holder of donating blood for the longest, he has a medal that he wears with pride and he is proud to be that record holder,” said Mrs Zahavi.
She said as a family they will always support him if he stills wants to continue.
