Dedicated blood donor sets new record

MORE than 101 litres of blood donated in some 64 years is the benchmark set by Namibia’s blood donation record holder, Pap Venter.

Venter (66), an estate agent in Swakopmund, celebrated his 225th donation at the coastal town’s Blood Transfusion Service building yesterday. He already reached the mark of 200 units in 2001.The champion donor, with the blood type O positive, said he believes it is beneficial to donate blood habitually since new red blood cells are produced faster and more regularly.According to Liesel Schwerdtfeger, public relations officer of the Blood Transfusion Service, clinical guidelines for donations from people over the age of 65 have changed recently, which allows Venter and his peers, with the permission of their doctors, to donate blood four times a year instead of the three times previously permitted.Another Swakopmunder, Werner Boehm (64), is second in the race with 215 recorded donations.There are more than 10 000 regular donors in Namibia.Six of them have already given more than 1 120 units of blood collectively.They are Venter (225), Werner Boehm (215), Barend du Plessis, who made his 200th blood donation last week, Klaus Spethmann, (177 units), Jan Kritzinger (151) and Johan Serfontein (155).Their combined contribution may have saved some 3 360 lives, said Schwerdtfeger.”This selfless act – being a voluntary, non-remunerated blood donor – is only possible with dedication and an honest commitment to help others.What other opportunities present themselves in life where you can help others live without giving away money, food or the shirt off your back?” she said.High-school pupils and students have contributed 21 per cent of the almost 20 000 units collected in the past financial year.He already reached the mark of 200 units in 2001.The champion donor, with the blood type O positive, said he believes it is beneficial to donate blood habitually since new red blood cells are produced faster and more regularly.According to Liesel Schwerdtfeger, public relations officer of the Blood Transfusion Service, clinical guidelines for donations from people over the age of 65 have changed recently, which allows Venter and his peers, with the permission of their doctors, to donate blood four times a year instead of the three times previously permitted.Another Swakopmunder, Werner Boehm (64), is second in the race with 215 recorded donations.There are more than 10 000 regular donors in Namibia.Six of them have already given more than 1 120 units of blood collectively.They are Venter (225), Werner Boehm (215), Barend du Plessis, who made his 200th blood donation last week, Klaus Spethmann, (177 units), Jan Kritzinger (151) and Johan Serfontein (155).Their combined contribution may have saved some 3 360 lives, said Schwerdtfeger.”This selfless act – being a voluntary, non-remunerated blood donor – is only possible with dedication and an honest commitment to help others.What other opportunities present themselves in life where you can help others live without giving away money, food or the shirt off your back?” she said.High-school pupils and students have contributed 21 per cent of the almost 20 000 units collected in the past financial year.