Dessie Maguire from Enniskillen and Grace Boyd from Brookeborough donated blood recently. It was Dessie’s 100th time to give blood and Grace’s first time to donate RMG54
WITH SUMMER a time when blood stocks can reach critically low levels, the Transfusion Service could be doing with a few more donors like Dessie Maguire!
Dessie has just given blood for the 100th time and to mark the occasion the Enniskillen man was presented with a special crystal vase.
In 1972, Dessie was working at a hospital in England when he first decided to give blood. In 1980, he moved to Enniskillen and worked at St Michael’s College as a caretaker. Having managed to maintain the habit, Dessie has been donating blood for 44 years.
“It really is no big deal to me. When I first gave blood a group of us were working in a hospital and I have been donating it ever since. I have held on to all of my certificates from donating blood, since November 1972. I’m sure there are plenty of people who have donated blood 100 times.” said Dessie Maguire.
Blood is in constant demand and is always needed in the case of an emergency or for those struggling with long-term treatments. It is likely that Dessie’s donations throughout the years may have saved lives and the blood donated would certainly have aided in the recovery of many patients.
“You just never know what will happen or who will need it. I do try to encourage people to donate but these days people are just so busy. I cannot get the young ones to go at all. At this time of year, with holidays and the things likes the Euros being on, people do not think about giving blood.”
At this stage, Dessie is a blood donating veteran and believes that those who are eligible and haven’t already donated, should take the plunge.
“These days, with tattoos and medication a lot of people cannot give blood. I am lucky as I am not on medication so I have always been able to give blood. I think if you are able to give blood, then people should just go and donate.
“Do not think to much about it because if you do you will get nervous and not do it. There is nothing to worry about, the first time is the hardest but after that it’s grand.”
While donating blood for the 100th time, Dessie met Grace Boyd from Brookborough who was donating blood for the first time.
“If I ever knew someone who was in a situation where they needed blood, I would like to think that I would be able to do something to help them. I definitely will donate again. I don’t really like needles but I just don’t look at them. I feel fine having donated. I’d like to think I would make it to 100, but it would take so long. Fingers crossed I will.” said Grace.
Those who are interested in donating blood can attend a blood donation session at St Mary’s Community Hall, Main Street Tempo, next Monday evening, June 27th. More information on donation centres is available on http://www.nibts.org/wheretodonate.html.
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