Blood donor joins 100 club (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Blood donor joins 100 club

A CHESTERTON man has been praised for his generosity this week after he marked his 100th blood donation.

Bob Page, 67, joins just one percent of those who give blood in reaching this milestone.

The National Blood Service estimates three lives are saved for every pint of blood donated meaning Bob could have helped more than 300 people through his efforts alone.

He explained how he started off as a donor when he was serving in the RAF.

He said: "It was in 1957, when I was doing National Service. It was a choice of either giving blood or doing eight hours in the cook house so I took the easy way out and gave blood."

Over the years Bob has kept up his donations and, despite moving all over the country, has managed to give blood twice a year in almost every year since 1957.

He said: "It has always been twice a year and wherever possible I have managed to keep it going. Recently they have started allowing you to give three times a year.

"And I am going to carry on whenever I can, it is saving lives. I am O+ but because it is a common blood type more people need it."

Bob admitted finding the time to give blood has been a lot easier since he has retired.

He said: "Now I just go down to the Corn Hall first thing and get it done. When I lived in Oxford I got called in for a special operation. If you're a rare group that probably happens more."

He said he would encourage anyone to come forward and take the time to donate blood to help save lives.

Ruth Greenaway, spokesman for the National Blood Service, said Bob's achievement in making 100 donations was very rare.

She said: "It is a real milestone and we would like to thank Bob for all his donations. Lots of our donors do continue until they are 70 and it is wonderful thing for them to have done and delighted to have them continue to do so.

"One donation can save up to three lives and we would ask everyone to follow Bob's example and give blood themselves."