North Delta's John Evelyn, 62, marked his 500th blood donation on Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Surrey Blood Donor Clinic.
On average, about 30 donors per year across Canada meet this milestone.With an active donor base of more than 450,000 donors, it is an elite group.
Evelyn began donating at age 17, inspired to help others by his father, who was in the medical corps and gave blood on the battlefields of the Second World War.
Today, Evelyn shares his passion for blood donation with his wife of 32 years, Mary, and their son and daughter – who are all long-time, double-digit donors. Despite the dedication of families like the Evelyns, the blood donor base in Canada is shrinking. The active donor base – consisting of individuals who have donated at least once in the past 12 months – has increased an average of less than one per cent per year over the last 10 years.
As regular donors continue to age, they must be replaced with new, younger donors who can give blood to help Canadian hospital patients.
Long-time donors play an important role in inspiring more Canadians to become regular blood donors to meet Canada’s future blood needs.
To book an appointment at the Surrey clinic (15285 101 Avenue), call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
For more information, visit www.blood.ca