Vancouver Islander Marks Milestone with 200th Blood Donation

Murray McNab, a dedicated blood donor from Vancouver Island, celebrated a significant milestone by donating his 200th pint of blood to the Canadian Blood Donor Clinic in September. Residing in rural North Oyster, near Ladysmith, McNab’s journey as a blood donor began in 1974 while he was a high school student at Nanaimo District Secondary.

Reflecting on his motivation, McNab shared, “There was a campaign to get students to donate blood, and a neighbour of ours had required many blood transfusions, so it seemed like the right thing to do.” Since then, he has primarily donated at clinics in Nanaimo, but his contributions extend beyond Canada. “Officially, I have donated 200 units of whole blood, but on my around-the-world tour, I donated twice in Australia, once in England, and maybe once in New Zealand.”

While McNab has maintained a consistent donation schedule, he faced challenges that temporarily halted his contributions. “I was involved in a motor vehicle crash in 1979 and could not donate for over a year,” he recalled. Other setbacks included a hepatitis A diagnosis from a trip to Guatemala, which also affected his ability to donate.

Over the years, donation protocols have evolved. McNab noted that individuals used to donate every 90 days, but now the interval is a more manageable 56 days. He recalled earlier experiences, stating, “I remember going to the Red Cross permanent donation clinic in Vancouver, just before I was going back to camp. It had only been 89 days since my last donation, and the nurse lost it. She claimed that I would be adversely affected and even die if I was to donate before the sanctioned 90 days.”

Despite the occasional challenges, McNab finds the donation experience mostly pain-free. “When you get a more seasoned nurse putting in the needle for the donation, you can not really feel it,” he said, adding that only a few donations have been uncomfortable. “I do remember donation number 199, when a young trainee inserted the needle—sweet jeepers, that hurt. But I would say that 95 percent of the time, the donation process is painless.”

Encouraging others to join the cause, McNab emphasized the importance of donating blood. “As they say, it is in you to give. Many people cannot donate blood for one reason or another, so it is up to the fortunate ones, like myself, to step up and donate.”

The current appointment system for donations enhances the experience, allowing donors to be in and out in less than an hour, although McNab humorously noted, “That is, of course, if you do not get held up at the snack and refreshment station after you have donated! These snacks have increased in both selection and quantity over the years, so it is easy to consume more weight than what you gave.”

Looking ahead, McNab remains optimistic about his future contributions. “As I am projected to live to 106, if I can donate until my deathbed, I should be able to donate 234 more units. I can almost taste the salty treats,” he joked.

McNab’s dedication not only highlights his personal commitment but also serves as an inspiration for others to consider the life-saving impact of blood donation.