It’s in his blood – selfless Westville resident makes 450th donation

SANBS appeals to people to become donors and give the gift of life.

WESTVILLE resident Peter Boulle continues to donate blood, plasma and platelets, and last Wednesday, May 10, he made his 450th donation.

Although Boulle said he cannot recall his first donation, he has made this his lifestyle and has been a donor for the past 40 years, as he believes every bit helps, and people can save many lives by signing up to become a donor.

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The 62-year-old is a regular at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in Westwood Mall as he donates plasma every two weeks.

“It is a Mother Theresa thing – if I can do a little bit and you can do a little bit, together we can do a lot,” he said.

Boulle’s wife Angela is also a regular donor as she relaxed in the chair next to her husband, making her 262nd donation.

Sister Margie Hamilton from Westwood Mall SANBS said they are grateful to Boulle and his wife for their giving natures.

“By becoming a blood donor, you are giving the gift of life. Just one unit of whole blood is processed into packed red cells, plasma and platelets, which are infused into patients requiring these specific products,” explained Hamilton.

Platelets are small, colourless cell fragments circulating in the blood. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets collect at the site and form a plug to stop bleeding.

Platelets and plasma donations can be done every two weeks and whole blood donations every 56 days as the body recovers those cells very quickly.

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