Glen Hills blood donor hits 750th donation
The loyal blood donor says making a donation every other month has become a way of life for him over the years.
WHEN Mike O’Neill of Glen Hills started donating blood at the age of 18, he didn’t think for one moment that he would one day reach the milestone of having donated 750 units of blood products.
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His sole reason for starting was purely because he wanted to help save lives. He doesn’t do it for any glory or fame, and not even for the amazing gifts the South African National Blood Services gives to donors, although he does admit they are really thoughtful gestures.
“I started donating blood when I turned 18. It was on my 18th birthday, in fact. At that time, you had to be 18 to donate,” he said.
And the rest is history. Last week, O’Neill made his 750th donation at SANBS in Durban North, the branch he’s been frequenting for numerous years now.
“I don’t keep count of the number of donations I make. It’s my lifestyle. It’s a part of who I am. I get the SMS that I need to donate, and I go. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
O’Neill began donating whole blood and was also called upon to donate other products, too.
He recalls donating in the Durban CBD and Paradise Valley before coming to Durban North.
“I’m happy to be a loyal donor. It’s all about saving lives and giving families more time to spend with their loved ones – an opportunity they wouldn’t have if it were not for SANBS and its donors,” he said.
The retired St Henry’s Marist College educator was also instrumental in starting the blood donation clinic at the school.
“Donating blood doesn’t take a lot of time, and it’s not painful. Plasma donations are also needed as they are used to save the lives of people with cancer. It really is a wonderful thing to do, and I encourage everyone to donate if they find themselves in a position to,” he said.
O’Neill commended the staff at the Durban North clinic, complimenting them on their friendliness and professionalism.
After his 750th donation, Neelashen Govender and Dennis Ngongoma handed over a gift to O’ Neill, thanking him for his loyalty and contributions towards saving lives.
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