When Sheryl Boyes was 18-years-old, her father encouraged her to become a blood donor.
“It was always the thing he did,” said Boyes of her father Roy McNaught.
The teen was happy to follow in her father’s footsteps as a blood donor, but a few years later, as a busy young wife and mother, taking the time to give blood became less important.
It wasn’t until her sister was in a serious car accident and needed several units of blood that she put it back on her priority list.
“It was a wakeup call for me. I knew I needed to get back into it,” she said.
On Monday, March 2, Boyes, who is from Bluffton, gave blood for the seventy-fifth time.
She is pleased she has been able to give blood and plans to keep on giving.
“I’ve never needed a transfusion and hope I never do, but if I did I would hope the blood supply would be there for me.”
Giving blood does make a difference, she said.
“Look around you. How many of your family and friends wouldn’t be here if nobody gave?”
Giving blood does have a social benefit as well, she said.
“I’ve met family, friends, neighbours, former students (at the clinic) and I’ve even gotten pledges for Terry Fox.”