Jerry Schuler is a man often known for his successful Lock and Key business but what most do not know is that he is an avid blood donor and has been donating since he was 18 years old.
The entire process takes approximately one hour including paperwork, questionnaires, and cookies and juice afterward.
“First time that I donated blood, I didn’t know that you weren’t supposed to exert yourself,” began Schuler. “I was at the General Hospital in Calgary up on the sixth floor and was about to donate blood [...] and I had to run down six flights of stairs. I get down there and blood was pumping a little bit but I learned.”
He plans on donating at least 100 times before he will finally quit. His donations happen three times per year on average.
“I just like to donate the blood,” said Schuler. “It doesn’t bother me, it takes a little bit of time, roughly an hour by the time you check in and go through the questions. When I’m giving the blood I’m usually giving a pint within four minutes.”
Schuler worked for a bread company at the time of his first donation. The bakery was located across the street from the General Hospital which eventually prompted him to donate.
“It was spur of the moment, nothing else,” said Schuler.
Schuler explained the blood donation is also good for a person’s health as it helps the body replace older blood cells and create new ones.
If a person has any previously unknown diseases they can be discovered as each sample of blood donated is tested before seeing a hospital room.
“It’s a good way to keep an eye on things if you come up with something,” said Schuler. “Let’s say you get bit by a bug and you get diseased. They will go through [the sample] and let you know. Where if you didn’t donate blood, by the time you realize you have something it might be too late.”
During the 2016/2017 year, Canadian Blood Services made several changes to their eligibility criteria.
First-time donors over the age of 71 are no longer required to have a physician assessment. Most donors with a history of cancer — not including blood-related cancers such as lymphomas and leukemia — can now donate if they have been cancer-free for five years. The waiting period for men who have sex with other men was reduced from five years to one year.
“Blood is needed,” Schuler said. “We don’t have enough donors. With all these different surgeries there is always going to be a need for blood so if you got it, give it.”
Drumheller’s next blood drive will at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) next month.
