By Daryl Major

Milestone blood donation for Nanaimo City Councillor

Aug 25, 2016 | 10:48 AM

NANAIMO — As a student at the University of Victoria years ago, Ian Thorpe and some classmates went to a blood donor clinic.

The Nanaimo City Councilor had no idea the impact that first donation would have on his life.

This week he made his 125th donation.

Thorpe says he never gave much thought to his giving blood regularly until hearing the story of a woman whose life was saved as a result of a donation.

“It’s easy, it’s painless, you make a donation, away you go. You don’t think about the people receiving that donation. To hear about the impact and the fact that it can actually save lives, is really amazing,” said Thorpe.

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According to Canadian Blood Services, Nanaimo has a pool of just 1,800 regular donors.

“I think it’s a case of getting the message out that number one, there are regular clinics here in town. People can book their own time at their convenience. It doesn’t take long to donate, maybe an hour and a half out of your day, and it can have a tremendous impact on other people’s lives.”

For more information on Nanaimo blood clinics, go to www.blood.ca.