GUELPH – Rockwood resident Andrew Vince made a momentous blood donation on June 3.
Vince, who has been donating since 1997, made his 100th blood donation at Canadian Blood Services in Guelph.
“It was offered in our high school back in Brampton,” said Vince.
“It was like an opportunity to get out of class and go for your first donation and I thought that was a cool thing to start.”
Vince made his first donation alongside his brother and has donated regularly ever since.
“I’ve lost a lot of people close to me in car accidents and things like that and I know the need is always there,” Vince told the Advertiser.
Vince is a nearly-universal donor with A-negative blood, which can be donated to people with A-positive, A-negative, AB-positive and AB-negative blood types.
According to the Canadian Blood Services roughly six per cent of the population is A-negative.
“Anyone that’s A-positive or A-negative can use A-negative blood,” said Vince. “It’s my way of giving back.”
Vince told the Advertiser he remembers when he reached his 50th donation and he wondered if he’d ever actually make it to 100.
“It just felt like it’s taken forever,” said Vince.
“Those last 10 or so, the last couple years, it’s felt like forever to finally get here.”
Male blood donors are permitted to donate every 56 days and female donors can donate every 84 days. When donating, blood iron levels are checked and those who meet the threshold are able to donate.
“Generally if you’re feeling well that day, you’re generally in good health, you’re at least 17 years old and you haven’t had a tattoo in 90 days you can donate,” said Katie Bea, business development manager at Canadian Blood Services in Guelph.
Both Bea and Vince are hoping to convince others to donate, as Canada is in desperate need of blood.
“You could be in and out in 45 minutes and you’ve just saved multiple people’s lives by just giving a little bit of yourself,” said Vince.
Those interested in donating can visit the Canadian Blood Services website at blood.ca.
It offers a full list of donor qualifications as well as online bookings for appointments.
