We often hear the call for blood donations.
A Lasalle man heard that call nearly 40 years ago and hasn't missed a date since. Now he’s celebrating a major milestone.
William Derbyshire rolled up his sleeve Saturday morning in what's become somewhat of a ritual, "The blood technician said I bled a little faster than usual”
That's because the frequent donor gave blood for the 200th time on this day.
"You give 4 or 5 times a year and it adds up over 36 years."
Derbyshire started giving blood back in 1981. At the time, he was laid off from Ford and heard a call to action on the radio, "I wasn't doing anything anyways. I was laid off so I said, well, I may as well give blood."
And so he did. From that point forward, he was hooked.
"I may as well go there and get waited on for a bit, get some free donuts and cookies."
When he got back to work at Ford he didn't slow down.
"If you gave blood they'd give you two hours off with pay, so I took advantage of that system for 20-25 years."
Like clockwork, every 56 days, Derbyshire can be found at Canadian Blood Services offices on Grand Marais Road East.
"It's a good feeling. You know you're saving lives, and extending people's lives too."
Derbyshire is 64 now, retired and doesn't plan to slow down any time soon. In fact, he's hoping to tally 250 donations in his lifetime.
