Man donates blood 250 times
A time bomb placed in the Johannesburg railway station that exploded during the evening rush hours in July 1964 impelled a Linksfield man to donate blood for 250 times.
Linksfield North resident, Barry Simon said this incident which resulted in the death of one person and severe injuries to more than 20 others, motivated him to donate blood frequently. To date he has done so 250 times. “I started donating blood in the mid-sixties, I started giving blood after seeing the carnage at the Johannesburg Station after a bomb went off there. There was blood everywhere and that made me commit to being a donor.”
Simon said the thought of giving back to the community by saving too many lives was a great pleasure for him. “My 250th unit of blood gives me a feeling of satisfaction as I know that I have given something back to society.”
Simon grew up in Berea and attended Yeoville Boys Primary School and later Athlone Boys High School.
He served in the 2nd Battalion Transvaal Scottish. He also did duty on the South African border in 1976 as an assistant adjutant. The father of three said he was a self-motivated and goal-driven person, but very impatient.
South African Blood Services Linksfield branch nurse, Charmaine Gillian said Simon was their regular donor and they were proud of him. Gillian said, “He has setup a good milestone. It’s great achievement of giving back to the community. One unit can save up to three lives.
“Please give life to somebody, it takes 30 minutes of your time every two months.”
