At the age of 90‚ Johannesburg pensioner Maurice Creswick is still the world’s oldest regular blood donor. A title he has held for the past 11 years.
Creswick was inspired to donate blood after witnessing a terrible accident in his teens. This has made him the most consistent blood donor for the longest period in the world.
Creswick donated the first pint of blood in 1944 at 18‚ and has donated 413 pints since. The equivalent of about 52 typical body loads.
He earned the title of the world’s oldest regular donor in 2005‚ at the age of 79.
Recently Maurice made his 413th blood donation and he celebrated his 90th birthday on 25 April. His commitment in donating blood through seven decades has helped mothers in labour, cancer patients and accident victims. And afforded them a second chance to complete their life stories.
That is also the underlying message of SANBS’ latest campaign, titled #GiveATomorrow. Which emphasises the important role that blood donors play in promoting people’s right to life.
Mr Creswick has inspired us through the years and donors like him make us determined to continue hosting blood drives. Knowing that our donors don’t just give blood, they give a life waiting to be lived meaningfully,” SANBS’ Vanessa Raju stated.
To mark World Blood Donor Day on Tuesday he threw down the gauntlet to other South Africans when he visited Netcare Milpark Hospital to encourage people to donate blood.
Asked what motivated him to keep donating blood‚ the nonagenarian said: “It is because I can do so much for so many people with such little effort.”
As one pint of blood could potentially save up to three lives‚ according to the International Red Cross‚ Creswick could have touched up to 1‚239 lives through his donations over the years.
Still in good health
According to policy, donors over 65 have to provide doctor’s letters of approval, deeming them fit to continue to donate. And Maurice is still going strong.
He was quoted saying, “Whether it’s one or two units of blood, every bit counts — you would be amazed at what just one unit can achieve.”
It is SANBS’ mandate to collect 3 000 units of blood daily to meet a growing need. Three people benefit from the various blood products created from each pint that is given in this selfless act.
Raju concluded, “We hope that people who haven’t donated blood before will be inspired to walk in Mr Creswick’s footsteps.”
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens.
by 