William donates his 200th pint of blood
BRUMA – 72-year-old blood donor still giving the gift of life
By Busi Vilakazi
72-year-old William Tracy from Bez Valley donated his 200th pint of blood at the Bruma Blood Donor Centre last week.
He said giving blood gives him so much joy.
“When my date of coming to donate comes up, I get excited to come in and make my contribution,” said William.
Every donor has a story to tell about how they got started and for Tracy, it was a visit by South African National Blood Service at his place of work.
“They educated us about blood donation and explained how our blood could save lives. I decided to join because I saw that my blood could do good,” share Tracy.
He said he has been donating over the years but there has been a time where he had to stop because SANBS did not come to the offices anymore.
He said when he found the Bruma centre he was happy and when his son turned 16 years old he took that as an opportunity to get back to donating and doing it together with his son.
He said, “Being a blood donor has been a great journey for me and I’m happy to continue because I still feel fit enough to do so. The doctor says I’m in good shape to donate.”
His wife Elizabeth said she supports him and she can see how much joy it brings him to be able to donate even at his age.
Tracy said following a healthy lifestyle is important.
”I keep fit by taking walks, walking half marathons and I also do Gillooly’s Park Run,” he said.
He thanked the staff at Bruma Blood Donor Centre for the excellent service.
“The staff here is very friendly. They take the time to talk to every donor and assist where they can. Their work is outstanding,” said Tracy.
Want to donate blood but do not know where to go?
• Visit the Bruma Blood Donor Centre. It is located in Finance House, 25 Ernest Oppenheimer Street, Bruma.
• The centre is open on Mondays from 1pm to 4.30pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8.30am to 4.30pm; Wednesdays from 8.30am to 7pm and Saturdays from 8.30am to 1pm.
• Call 011 622-7153/8361 for further information.
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