Local donor celebrates 100th life-saving blood donation

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Kristen Coughlar

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EMC News - Robert West has saved up to 300 lives. West is a blood donor. Last Thursday, West attended Canadian Blood Services Kingston to make his 100th blood donation.

"I was 19 at the time, and I think I was working at an IBM plant. I remember they used the cafeteria," West said, recalling the first time he donated. "You could only donate once at year at that time."

Now 55, West has remained a faithful donor, attending clinics as often as possible.

"I figured it was a good thing to do...I committed myself and said, 'I'm going to do it because you never know if you get in an accident I may need the blood some day,'" he said.

Community development coordinator Linda Mather, said donors like West are vitally important to Canadian Blood Services, and that milestone donations like West's are becoming increasingly more common among the organization.

"Since our donation time was increased to six times a year that has allowed a lot more people to reach those milestone donations. So at one time a 100th donation was very rare, but now we have people who are surpassing that. We have people that are at 150 and 200 if they've started at a young age."

Mather said that while some of those donors choose to reach those milestones quietly, staff is always excited for the opportunity to celebrate with one of its donors.

West's celebration included picture taking, attendance by local media, and cake.

"Robert is one of our very regular donors and our staff has gotten to know him very well over the years," Mather said. "The staff speaks very highly of Robert."

West said he has enjoyed developing a bond with the staff at Canadian Blood Services.

"That is what has been so great. Years ago it seemed to me you'd have a different group coming to all these different places, shopping centres, etc. whereas now what's so great at Canadian Blood Services is they've got their own special spot."

It may not have been his birthday, but when West was cutting the 100th donation cake he make a special wish.

"I wish to donate 100 more," he said.

In fact, West said he would continue to donate on a regular basis up to the point that he is unable.

"It just feels like a duty to me. Like I've got to do it, I need to do it, and I'd like to do it."

Whether it's your first, 10th or 100th donation, every blood donation is important and has the potential to save up to three lives. You can reach your first milestone today. To make an appointment call 1-888-2DONATE.

"Every single donor, (even) if it's their first time, is special because it's important that they make that donation in the first place," Mather said.




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