It was a milestone week for Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 Peter Teschner, who made his 300th blood donation Thursday afternoon, just two days after his 60th birthday.

The unsung hero gave his first pint as a 23-year-old college student, recognizing not only the need but also his ability to make a difference.

含羞草研究社滻t was for the doughnut,含羞草研究社� he deadpanned off his original motivation. 含羞草研究社淣o, because I know it helps people. I was blessed with a relatively healthy body, and this is one way to give back to the community.含羞草研究社�

Since then, Teschner has donated whole blood regularly every 56 days as allowed, hitting the 200 mark in early 2021. At that time, however, he started donating plasma, which allowed for weekly donations and fast-tracked him to his new record.

As plasma donations separate the red blood cells through a machine that replaces them into the donor, their bodies don含羞草研究社檛 get depleted, allowing more frequent donations. It含羞草研究社檚 more efficient than separating the components afterwards and allows for a greater volume to be taken in one donation, at 562 to 896 mL as opposed to 500 mL of blood.

Janna Pantella, manager of the Kelowna Plasma Donor Centre, explained that the plasma collected at the clinic is used to make specialized medications that are used to treat isolated diseases, as well as for immune diseases that those people rely on.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a different way of giving, but you含羞草研究社檙e still saving someone含羞草研究社檚 life,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淵ou含羞草研究社檙e still having that impact on someone and their family.含羞草研究社�

Teschner has since seen that impact firsthand after meeting seven-year-old Andrew Blakely who has been battling leukemia for the last two-and-a-half years. He is also inspired by longtime clinic volunteer Bob Greig who, after a parachuting accident smashed his femur years ago, required blood products from 71 donors.

Their stories strengthen Teschner含羞草研究社檚 resolve to keep going and to set an impressive end goal.

含羞草研究社淥ne thousand. That is the ultimate,含羞草研究社� he stated, adding that at approximately 50 donations per year, it will take him another 14 to reach that target. 含羞草研究社淚f I reach it, it would be absolutely amazing.含羞草研究社�

Joining Teschner in this mission, is Ben Heggie, who attended the clinic the same day with his 100th donation, having first started two and a years ago during COVID-19. He too, is now championing the cause and encouraging others to take the plunge.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 something you can feel good about, 含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 an easy way to give back to the community, whether it含羞草研究社檚 here or further away in Canada.含羞草研究社�

Anyone inspired to make an appointment can do so by calling 1 888 2 Donate (1-888-236-6283), going online to or downloading the Canadian Blood Services app.

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