The ophthalmologist made his first donation when he was still in college.
A man from Long Island, in the United States, donated around 29 gallons of blood (approximately 110 liters) in 49 years. Henry Bickoff, 68, began the noble feat in 1975. His blood helped 693 people, according to the New York Blood Center.
He donated the equivalent of 870 individual ice cream scoops, 310 cans of Coca-Cola or nearly six gallons of bottled water to the office. “I’ve been doing this for a while now,” he told New York Post Office. “It’s something I’ve committed to and it’s really nice to get a little recognition for it,” he added.
The ophthalmologist made his first donation when he was still in college. “Everyone was doing it. It was a save the world, do something good for everyone kind of situation,” Bickoff said. However, he recalled his first experience and said he felt “very dizzy” after the donation, as he was not hydrated, fed or rested. However, that didn’t stop him from continuing to do so.
The optometrist continued, “This may sound silly, but I consider it my main act of charity. It’s something I can do and it doesn’t take a lot of time. I consider it multitasking—making blood cells while doing everything else in my life. And it’s just that time.” every two months to go to the blood center and donate.” Bickoff has blood type B negative and is in high demand. Until the previous five or ten years, he donated every 56 days. However, with age he tries to “stretch out a little”.
New York Blood Center Senior Vice President Andrea Cefarelli said, “Less than 1/2 percent of the donor base has donated 20 gallons or more. The average person donates a few times in their lifetime.”
“It is one of the blood types that is often in short supply because it represents only 2% of the population. AB neg can only receive B neg or O neg. Neg is the universal blood type – it can be safely transfused to anyone – but it is only present in 6% of the population,” she added.
Mr. Bickoff’s wife sometimes donates blood. However, your daughter is unable to do so due to a rare blood disease and your son is not interested. “It’s really something that makes me very proud of him,” said his 36-year-old daughter.
Notably, Mr. Bickoff would hold the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the most whole blood donations by one man if he applied. According to a GWR representative, the bond requires 231 units to qualify, which he completed in May. He said he would likely request the designation.
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story
