Patterson wraps up Christmas gifting at mobile Canadian Blood Services clinic

Canadian Blood Services’ Jonni-Lyn VanDeursen (left) congratulates Eddie Patterson on his 221st donation on Thursday, Dec. 18 at the Reeves Community Complex. (Jeff Tribe photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

It was seven days before Christmas and Eddie Patterson had already wrapped up his holiday shopping.

Accepting the futility of trying to buy for his two adult daughters, one in Woodstock, the other in Nova Scotia, he had opted for gift cards, a safer choice based on prior experience.

“I haven’t got a clue if I’m buying the right thing,” Patterson confessed. “At least they can spend it on themselves, buy something they want.”

He was also looking forward to sharing Christmas day with family in Woodstock, good food and good times including an additional mystery gift exchange. The exercise features sequential selections, with participants able to trade their pick for earlier presents, opening up what Patterson called ‘interesting’ options.

“It’s good fun,” he smiled.

Before enjoying family time, Patterson was adding a third donation to his yuletide agenda, the literal gift of life at a Canadian Blood Services (CBS) mobile clinic hosted Thursday, December 18th at the Reeves Community Complex. The donation was Patterson’s 221st, reflecting a commitment stretching back to the age of 22. Employed in England’s merchant navy at the time, Patterson came ashore following a lengthy voyage to New Zealand, greeted by the request for blood from a hospital there.

“That was my first time,” said Patterson, who continued the tradition upon his emigration to Canada four years later. “I’ve done it ever since.”

Patterson originally donated every three months, a period reduced to 56 days as criteria changed following further study. He gave plasma for a time but returned to blood, receiving notices of appreciation at his 100th, 150th and 200th donations. Turning 80 in January, he plans on continuing as long as he’s “good to go.”

“There are so many people who need transfusions,” he explained. “It’s something they need, something I can give and it doesn’t cost anything.”

Patterson is a star in the world of blood donation and credits Adam Myers, Business Development Manager at CBS. His ongoing contribution is particularly impactful given statistics indicating that while one in two Canadians are eligible to give blood, only one in 76 do so. CBS stats also state a Canadian needs blood every 60 seconds, it can take five donors to help one heart surgery patient, eight a week to help treat a patient with leukaemia and up to 50 to save an accident or trauma victim.

Although our blood supply is ‘stable’ in Myers’ words, CBS has set the ‘very ambitious goal’ of attraction one million new donors across the next five years. That target reflects a growing need due to Canada’s ageing population and for the development of new medicines.

“It’s definitely a lofty goal, but something we are shooting for.”

Those 17 and older in relatively good health can qualify as donors, either at fixed clinics like that in London, or mobile clinics in locations including Woodstock, Ingersoll and Norwich. Going to the CBS website and clicking on the Book Now tab at its top right and entering a location (Woodstock for example) will bring up a list of scheduled dates in the area.

Each clinic, mobile or permanent, features “great staff and great snacks,” Myers promised.

The blood.ca website also provides a wide range of information, contact listings and a live chat option accessed through its bottom, right portion.

“There is a boatload of information on there,” said Myers, who in conclusion, encourages others to follow Patterson’s example, adding blood donation their routine heading into a new year. The contribution goes both ways he concluded, meaningful for both the donor and those in need.

“Think of it as a gift for yourself and a patient.”