Cancer survivor donates blood for 100th time
The Durban North resident first donated blood in 1978.
WHAT started as a one-time blood donation when Colin Stein was just a teenager has turned into a lifelong commitment to help others. The local resident recently donated blood for the 100th time at the Durban North Blood Donor Clinic at Kensington Square centre.
“I donated for the first time in 1978. I was actually tricked into it. It was my friend’s idea to donate blood, so we went down to the clinic but he didn’t actually donate but I did. Ever since that day I haven’t turned back. When I found out about my blood type, AB positive, was rare, it became one of the major contributing factors for me,” he explained.
Incredibly, Stein, had to give up donating blood after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
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“I had to give up for five years because of the thyroid cancer. It was mandatory for me to do that. But during my treatment it made me more aware about how cancer patients rely on blood donations. Once I beat cancer I knew I had to keep donating. Blood saves lives and I hope more people will be encouraged to donate on a regular basis,” he said.
Stein’s special day was given added significance as his daughter, Mellisa, also donated blood on the day.
“My dad has been my inspiration I started donating blood because of him, my mom is also a regular donor,” she said.
