Every drop counts, and every donation can mean the difference between life and death. Reaching 400 blood donations is not only extraordinary but also rare. This selfless achievement reflects a lifetime of commitment, compassion and quiet heroism, and this is exactly how many would describe Mr Graham Dollman.
Mr Dollman started his blood donation journey at around 26 years old in the Cape Town city centre and over the years followed WCBS to many different locations. After donating for some time, he was approached by the service to find out if he would like to become a platelet donor. He had a high platelet count and very good veins, so he was a perfect candidate. Mr Dollman agreed and has been donating life-saving platelets ever since. He is now 78 years of age and donated his 400th unit on Monday, 5 May 2025 at the WCBS apheresis collections department in Ndabeni.
Being a platelet donor is a serious commitment, as you cannot make your donation at one of our many mobile clinics or blood donation centres around the province. You can only donate platelets at the WCBS apheresis collections department at the WCBS Head Office.
“You all make it so easy to keep coming back to donate,” says Mr Dollman. “The staff are so great; it’s like coming to see my friends,” he added.
When asked if he had a message about blood donation for the youth of the Western Cape, Mr Dollman replied, “Donating blood is such a personal thing; your own family may need it someday.”
As we celebrate Mr Dollman’s amazing achievement, let his dedication inspire others to roll up their sleeves and become part of a legacy of saving lives, one donation at a time.
