Rhayader man reaches 500th blood donation after 50 years
A man from Rhayader has given his 500th blood donation.
Chris Jones began his journey as a blood donor in 1975, when a friend encouraged him to donate for the first time.
Over the years, he has made 47 whole blood donations and, since 2003, has been donating platelets.
Platelet donation, which involves a process of extracting components from the blood and returning it to the donor, is different from regular blood donation.
His contributions have been divided into platelets, red cells, and plasma, which are crucial for patients with cancer, those undergoing surgeries and organ transplants, and newborn babies.
Each platelet donation is equivalent to three blood units and can help three different patients.
Mr Jones made a 150-mile round trip from Mid Wales to Pontyclun, near Llantrisant, to donate once a month.
Despite retiring, he continues to donate, motivated by personal losses in his family.
Mr Jones's father, David, and sister, Hilary, both died from cancer, which has strengthened his resolve to help others in need.
He said: "I moved offices back to Mid Wales in 2009 but continued to travel the 150-mile round trip to donate once a month.
"I am now retired but feel the need for donating is as important as ever, having lost my father David in 2000 and my sister Hilary in 2007 to cancer."
Platelets, made in the bone marrow, have a lifespan of just seven to 10 days.
Every 15 seconds, someone needs a platelet transfusion.
Mr Jones pointed out that only 4 per cent of people in the UK who are eligible to donate blood actually do so.
He encouraged others to consider donating, emphasising the unpredictable nature of when a person or their family might need a life-saving transfusion.
