When Al Martin was 19, he heard there was a need for blood.
It was all the motivation he needed for walking into Barrhead’s Royal Canadian Legion in 1958 and becoming a blood donor for the first time.
The fact that donors also received cookies was a tasty bonus to the teenager.
Even though Martin began to feel a little faint afterwards and walked back to the Legion for a lie down, he had no regrets.
He knew he had done the right thing; and so began a lifelong habit of giving blood that Martin will continue as long as he is healthy.
In 54 years he has given about 50.5 litres of blood; equivalent to the total amount of blood in nine people.
Come Dec. 27 when the Blood Donor Clinic is held at the Agrena from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. he will again be rolling up his sleeves … for his 102nd donation.
To Canadian Blood Services, Martin is a “miracle worker”- their description for life-saving donors this Christmas.
He is a wonderful role model as they try to reach a goal of 15,000-plus blood donations to help hospital patients in Alberta.
Martin, however, shies away from personal accolades. He does not see himself as special.
“I just do it because people need blood,” he said last Thursday. “Some surgeries need a lot of blood.”
“If nobody gave any blood, I think the funeral homes would be a lot busier, ” he added.
It is an argument endorsed by Canadian Blood Services in their Dec. 3-Jan. 2 blood donor drive.
They cite the case of Hunter Kuzik, a child diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan anemia (a rare blood cell disease) when he was two months old, saying blood donations can provide a gift money can’t buy … the gift of time.
“To a hospital patient in need, time is everything – time with family and friends and time to live and time to love,” said Deb Steele-Kretschmer, communications specialist.
She said Hunter had undergone more than 140 transfusions, and continues to need them every three weeks.
Today he is an active eight-year-old, enjoying grade three, soccer and video games, she added.
“We are extremely thankful to the people who donate blood,” said Hunter’s mother Carrie Kuzik.
“Because of them Hunter is full of life, has energy and is a blessing to us all. The need for blood never ends, so we ask people to please join in being a miracle worker for Hunter and others like him by signing up to donate blood.”
Steele-Kretschmer said blood donors must be aged 17 or older, weigh at least 110 lbs (50 kg), be in good health and feeling well, and be interested in giving a holiday miracle to those in need.
“There are plenty of opportunities to donate blood this holiday season,” she said. “Making a blood donation before or after the holidays helps ensure an adequate supply for those in need. Please bring a friend or family member and donate either just before or after the holiday season.”
She said people can book an appointment at 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or online at www.blood.ca.
“To help meet the continuing need for blood, donors who have an appointment in the coming weeks are urged to honour it,” she added.
There is no need to remind Martin – he will be one of the first in line at the Agrena, holding out the underside of his elbow, waiting for the prick of a needle that has never held any fear for him.
These days Martin gives blood three or four times a year, whenever the clinic is available.
Once he turned 70, Martin, whose blood type is the common O Positive, had to have annual medical check-ups to prove he was healthy and fit enough to give blood.
“Fortunately, I’ve been pretty healthy all my life,” he said. “I will keep giving blood as long as the doctor says I can do so.”
Apart from that first occasion in 1958, Martin has never had any ill effects. And the years have not diminished his appetite for the appetizing extras … be it cookies or the brandy that donors received during the mid-60s at Barrhead’s old hospital.
“Nowadays they are more likely to give you apple juice,” he laughed.
