Last Words of 70-Year-Old Man with 500 Blood Donations in 48 Years

70-year-old man completes his 500th blood donation after 48 years of consistent acts of kindness.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Mr. Lee Young-ho (70) made his final blood donation at the Busan Blood Donation House Seomyeon Center.

As reported by Yonhap News, a retirement ceremony took place at the Seomyeon Center of the Blood Donation House on this day to commemorate Mr. Lee’s final blood donation.

Mr. Lee began donating blood 28 years ago and reached the remarkable milestone of his 500th donation today.

Mr. Lee recalled, “A bloodmobile staff member waiting in front of Busan Station suggested me, and that was my first blood donation.” He added, “I was initially scared, but I’ve considered it the simplest and happiest form of service.”

He continued, “I maintained my health by not drinking alcohol or smoking to donate blood. I once donated blood to a patient I know through an acquaintance, and the most rewarding part was receiving a thank you message from the patient’s daughter.”

Although there were times when Mr. Lee had to take a break from donation due to poor health, his blood donation records show △160 platelet donations △244 plasma donations △96 whole blood donations.

Considering the Korean Red Cross’s guidelines, which allow whole blood donation once every two months and plasma and platelet donation once every two weeks, it appears that Mr. Lee has visited the blood bank every month in practice.

However, Mr. Lee expressed regret that he could no longer donate blood due to the age limit of 70.

He said, “As the elderly population in our country is increasing, the criteria for blood donation should be changed from birth age to physical age,” and expressed hope that “a path will open for the elderly population to contribute to our society through blood donation.”

While Mr. Lee expressed regret about being unable to donate blood, his grandson, Kim Ji-geom (17), who attended Mr. Lee’s retirement ceremony on this day, stepped forward.

Kim said he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and made his first blood donation on this day.

Kim said, “I was initially nervous, but thinking about how my grandfather has been doing this consistently made me feel more comfortable. I want to continue donating blood regularly.”

By. Hye Min Kim