GEORGE NEWS -  Two regular blood donors at the George branch of the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS), Koot (Jacobus) du Toit and Ronald Peters, have together donated 375 pints of blood between the two of them over years of faithfully keeping up this selfless habit.

Du Toit donated his 225th pint and Peters his 150th in March. During this month, the WCBS has focused on the stories of regular blood donors to inspire others to keep up with their donations and also non-donors to start donating.

Du Toit was in his 20s when he started donating, following the example of his parents and “because it is the right thing to do”. He continues, even now at the age of 76. His doctor has given the green light for him to continue and the blood service is satisfied with the quality of his blood. 

He had a bout of low blood pressure some time ago, which interrupted his regular donations, but other than that, he has been a faithful visitor to the blood service. 

“There were a few years where I was not allowed to donate more than once every three months, but last year that rule changed and now I have resumed my visits twice a month.” (One can donate whole blood every 56 days, plasma every two weeks, and platelets once a month.)

Koot (Jacobus) du Toit. Photo supplied

Peters, who is turning 70 this year, says he started donating in around 1972/3 when he was about 17 years old. 

“A friend said to me ‘Let's go and donate a pint of blood - they give you a pint of beer’, so off we went to Hillbrow in Johannesburg. I never stopped donating and my children all donated, but are all out of South Africa now. 

"I do have a number of friends who also donate. It has been a privilege for me to help my fellow mankind and I give all glory to God for the health and strength to do so.” 

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