SAVING lives comes naturally to David Goudie, a Crestholme resident. Recently the 76-year-old made his 225th blood donation at the Hillcrest Blood Bank at the Colony Centre.
Goudie made his very first donation when he was 18 years old, and has been donating religiously ever since. “I was a millwright apprentice back then and we had a blood donation day at work. My superiors dragged me in and I have been donating ever since,” said Goudie.
He humbly explained that he makes the donations as it is a way for him to give back to the community.
The selfless resident’s excellent health allows him to donate blood every 56 days. According to Ingrid Marlton, a SANBS staff member, Goudie will be able to donate blood as long as he remains “healthy and happy”.
After an individual celebrates his 65th birthday the clinic needs a letter from his or her general practitioner every two years to ensure that the individual is healthy enough to donate blood.
Goudie’s wife, Wendy (73), also donated blood on a regular basis. She has been unable to continue the tradition due to an illness, but supports her husband at every donation. “It was a privilege to donate blood, especially since I have been the person on the other end who needed a blood transfusion at one stage,” said Wendy.
On the day Goudie was presented with a 225th Blood Donation badge, to commemorate auspicious milestone.
Marlton reported that 27 per cent of the donated blood is used in medical cases, such as cancer treatments. Additionally 26 per cent is used during pregnancies, childbirth or gynecological cases, while 21 per cent is used in surgical cases. The least amount of blood is used for research and casualty cases (six and four per cent respectively).
Residents are once again encouraged to donate blood, before blood stocks run low.
Contact 031 765 4035.
