With a combined 475 units of blood donated, Lorraine (56) and Pieter (62) Griffin have spent decades making a life-saving difference through their commitment to blood donation.

Pieter was recently honoured at the Teksa branch of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) gala event and awards ceremony for reaching the milestone of 225 donations. Lorraine has donated 250 units.

Lorraine was about 20 years old when she donated blood for the first time while living in Bethal.

“A friend who was donating blood told me I should donate. I told her, ‘Next time,’ and that next time eventually came,” she said.

She admitted that she was initially frightened and worried that she might faint, but donating blood has since become second nature.

Lorraine also remembers the days when blood was collected in glass bottles rather than the blood bags used today.

She is now a plasma platelet donor with blood type A positive and donates every two weeks.

“For me, the finger prick is worse than the needle used for donating blood. If you’re afraid, just look away. It’s about saving a life. That’s what it’s about. Put your big girl panties on,” she laughed.

Pieter began donating when he was 22 years old and serving in the army.

“In those years I donated at the Bethal railway station hall. Sometimes I would forget, or work would prevent me from going, but now that I’m retired I can donate more often,” said Pieter.

He added that he used to struggle with high blood pressure when he was younger.

“Since donating blood, I don’t really have that problem anymore,” he said.

Pieter, whose blood type is B negative, said the main reason he continues donating is to help save lives.

“There is no need to be scared. You’re not going in for an operation. Make the decision and go and donate blood,” he encouraged.

The couple praised the Teksa SANBS team for their friendliness and support over the years.

“I have seen so many faces come and go at the Secunda branch – Kenny, Leon, Tannie Ansi, Maloko,” Lorraine said.

Pieter joked that he looks forward to the coffee and cookies he receives after donating, while Lorraine says she enjoys the sandwich provided to plasma platelet donors.

Their commitment to blood donation has also inspired their children. Hanne-Marié (28) has donated 39 units, while Marius (26) has donated 29.

“Marius wasn’t keen on donating blood, but he wanted a tattoo. I told him, ‘Spanner, only if you first donate blood,’” Lorraine said.

She reminded him that if he could handle the needles involved in getting a tattoo, he could certainly handle a needle for blood donation. Hanne-Marié made the decision on her own to become a donor when she was about 16 years old, Lorraine added.

Together, the Griffin family has donated a remarkable 543 units of blood. With one unit of blood capable of saving up to three lives, their donations could potentially have helped 1 629 people.