CORNER BROOK — How long does it take to give blood 150 times?
Over 35 years.
Gary Wiseman of Corner Brook sat in the chair and donated blood Wednesday for the 150th time. He began donating so long ago to simply help people.
“Part of it was that people might need it, someone in the family at the time was probably in the hospital,” said Wiseman. “A friend of mine at the time convinced me it’s time to do it.”
It takes about 15 minutes to collect a blood donation of one unit, 450 ml, of blood and about one hour for the entire procedure. Blood donations can only be given in 56 day intervals.
According to the Canadian Blood Service, one donation can save three lives. That means Wiseman may have saved 450 lives.
Wiseman, 60, began giving blood when it was at Monaghan Hall in the hospital.
“We’d all just go sit down and lie on cots,” he said.
Wiseman usually has a drink and a cookie once he is completed the transaction, for what he says is just to be on the safe side.
He said he will continue to donate as long as he can.
“Excellent staff,” he said. “There’s one thing that they forgot. Thirty-five years ago they promised me a bottle of rum when I got my 150 — it hasn’t showed up.”
