WHAT began as following in his father’s footsteps has turned into an achievement worth recognising for Doon Heights, Amanzimtoti resident, Lester Povey.

Also read: SANBS encourages donors as blood stocks run dry

He was recently honoured at a South African National Blood Service awards dinner at Coastlands Hotel in Durban. Blood donors who had reached various milestones in blood donations received awards for their contributions to saving lives across the country. Povey donated an impressive 125 pints of blood, which equates to around 70 litres.

“I started donating blood in the 1980s because my father had been a blood donor. I donate blood at Amanzimtoti Methodist Church on the first Friday of every second month. It’s a really simple and painless process which takes less than 30 minutes of one’s time. I encourage others to become blood donors as it’s a selfless way of saving someone else’s life. It’s also only done every two months so it’s not a burden on our time,” said Povey.

He explained that the process involves a brief questionnaire to ascertain whether potential donors are healthy, followed by iron level and blood pressure testing before friendly SANBS staff members handle the blood donation.

Povey proudly added that he and his wife of 48 years, Jill, have four children, all of whom also donate blood.

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