WHAT started as a one-time donation when Mike O’Neill was just a teenager has turned into a lifelong commitment to help others. On Thursday the Glen Anil resident made his 725th blood donation at the Durban North blood donor clinic at the Kensington Square centre. The 63-year-old has been donating blood for more than 40 years. Not only has he donated blood but he has also donated life-saving plasma.

A bottle of champagne greeted O’Neill as he walked in to the clinic for the momentous occasion.

His donation comes at a critical time with a national blood shortage. The blood stock levels have now fallen below 1.6 days.

“The first time I donated blood was my 18th birthday in 1971, my older brother was a regular donor and I felt it was something I could do. I used to be a plasma donor and do my donations in Pinetown and at mobile clinics,” he said.

This is what he had to say:

Dennis Ngongoma, public relations practitioner at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) thanked O’Neill for his donation.

“The most important thing is his commitment. This is an outstanding achievement and it’s a very proud movement. We rely on people like Mr O’Neill who are regular donors,” he said.