To donate blood is to do your humanitarian duty.
These are the sentiments of Willem de Klerk (74), who made his 250th blood donation at the Germiston Blood Donor Centre, last Tuesday.
Willem and his wife, Susan, moved from Bloemfontein to Primrose a year ago to stay with one of their five children.
“We are busy building a house in Primrose,” Willem said.
Willem was in the fire services for 46 years and Susan was a trauma nurse working in the ER, so the pair know the importance of donating blood.
“I started donating blood in June or July of 1967 and I will continue to donate until I am unable to anymore,” said Willem.
“I do it to deliver a humanitarian service to my fellow man.”
The couple, who lived in Bloemfontein all their lives, were introduced by a relative.
However, their love affair blossomed behind the curtains of the ER as Willem would bring patients to the hospital where Susan worked.
“Once, the strict sister in charge even chased Willem away,” laughed Susan.
“We were young and in love.”
The couple will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on May 24.
In celebration, they will hold a braai with their family.
Willem told the GCN how he was involved in road rescues and served on the N1 highway.
“It is a satisfactory job to do as you are part of a team who is doing something good for others,” he said.
As Willem’s career progressed in the fire services, he was the recipient of four medals, firstly a bronze, then a silver, then a gold and finally a platinum medal for long service.
“If people don’t donate blood, surgeons will be without a job,” Willem said.
“We must all value our fellow man and donate blood.”
Willem reminisced about the years when he first started donating blood.
“When I started donating, the blood was collected in a glass bottle,” he said.
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Susan agreed saying that sometimes in the hospital these bottles would be dropped.
He still donates four times a year.
Willem also served on the SANBS donor committee for many years and said that he has witnessed enormous progress with regard to the collection of blood and improvements at the laboratories over the years.
He celebrated his 250th blood donation by receiving a medal, cake and champagne.
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