It was a milestone week for Kelowna’s 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.
”It was for the doughnut,” he deadpanned off his original motivation. “No, 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.”
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’t get depleted, allowing more frequent donations. It’s 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.
“It’s a different way of giving, but you’re still saving someone’s life,” she said. “You’re still having that impact on someone and their family.”
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’s resolve to keep going and to set an impressive end goal.
“One thousand. That is the ultimate,” he stated, adding that at approximately 50 donations per year, it will take him another 14 to reach that target. “If I reach it, it would be absolutely amazing.”
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.
“It’s something you can feel good about, “ he said. “It’s an easy way to give back to the community, whether it’s here or further away in Canada.”
Anyone inspired to make an appointment can do so by calling 1 888 2 Donate (1-888-236-6283), going online to blood.ca or downloading the Canadian Blood Services app.
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