Milestone donation made

Aotea Electric Southern electrical inspector Owen Kreft ready to make his 100th donation at the...
Aotea Electric Southern electrical inspector Owen Kreft ready to make his 100th donation at the NZ Blood Service recently. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
A recent trip by Aotea Electric Southern’s "Team Red" to donate blood and plasma was extra special for electrical inspector Owen Kreft — who stepped up to make his 100th donation to the NZ Blood Service Dunedin Centre.

During the visit, Mr Kreft’s achievement was honoured with the gift of a colourful print and a certificate.

The assembled Team Red members, who range in age from 19 to 64 years old, also sang Happy Birthday to Seth Dickinson, who was giving plasma on his 62nd birthday.

Mr Kreft has been giving blood since he was a school boy in the 1970s , and for most of his 30 years with Aotea Electric Southern. He tries to keep up the momentum and give whole blood every three months in Dunedin, and several times while out of town for work.

"I tried to keep doing it regularly — it’s important to keep the momentum going," he said.

As the possessor of type O positive blood — the most common blood type — Mr Kreft’s donations are always useful, and his commitment to donating is appreciated by the NZ Blood Service.

"I’m well aware that a very small proportion of the population actually donate blood, so it’s very important to continue while I can," he said.

"I have never needed blood myself so far, but it is good to know that I have helped others."

Keen to get "fresh blood" involved in the Team Red project, Mr Kreft encourages fellow staff members to get involved and do it together.

"I try to encourage our younger staff members to get involved — we need to make sure there are enough blood donors in the future," he said.

So it was fitting that while Mr Kreft was making his 100th donation, Aotea cadet Will Faulkner was making his first.

Having reached the milestone of 100 donations, Mr Kreft now has his sights set on 125 donations and beyond.

"We will see how we go, but I definitely plan to continue," he said.

"Blood and plasma are always going to be needed, and it is good for society to donate — I would encourage everyone who can to do it."

Aotea Electric Southern sponsor more than 36 clubs, charities, schools and organisations in the southern region and is supportive of staff donating blood and plasma.

brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz