Regina man helps 1200 patients by donating blood 400 times
"I know it has a bigger impact on some stranger, that's my compelling reason," Wade Murray said.
Published Dec 31, 2023 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 3 minute read
Wade Murray’s commitment to donating blood began back in 1986, and 37 years later he has officially donated 400 times.
After an appointment at the Canadian Blood Services donor centre in Regina on Friday, the former city councillor has given the equivalent of 280 litres of blood and blood products in his lifetime.
Article content
“If you take a five gallon pail or a 22 litre pail — those big paint pails — it would be 13 of those, so that’s quite a bit,” he said. “That’s over twice my body weight in blood product.”
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Regina Leader-Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Article content
Community Development Manager with Canadian Blood Services Lisa Beechinor said Murray has helped save 1,200 patients.
“That’s a remarkable feat and something to wear as a badge of honour, and to give so selflessly is just fantastic,” she said.
Murray was around 17 years old when his friend’s mom, who worked for the Canadian Blood Services, suggested they donate blood at the organization’s blood drive.
“There were around five or six of us that just went in out of the blue and I thought this is a pretty easy way to make a difference, I think I’ll keep doing this,” he said.
While many people gave blood for the first time on Sept. 11, 2001 — the day terrorist attacks in the U.S. left nearly 3,000 people dead in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania — Murray made his 50th donation that day.
“The towers (World Trade Center in New York) are coming down, everyone was watching TV like the rest of us and I thought to myself I’ve gotta go do something so I went to go give blood,” he said. “There were hundreds of lined up because everyone felt the same way, they wanted to do something.”
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Article content
That was Murray’s last time donating whole blood before switching to platelets and plasma.
Beechinor said platelets are primarily used for cancer treatments and plasma is used to create hemoglobin, which is used in various blood treatments.
“Donating blood, plasma, platelets, organs, tissue, anything that you can give is one of the greatest gifts you can give to another human being,” she said.
Murray tries to donate every two weeks, giving two units of platelets each time and plasma most of the time. He said each session takes around an hour and a half. Although reaching 400 donations is a big milestone, he said it was never a major goal.
“I know it has a bigger impact on some stranger, that’s my compelling reason.”
Wade Murray donates his blood for the 400th time at Canadian Blood Services on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-PostHaving a daughter who’s a registered nurse reinforced the importance of blood donation for Murray.
“Every time she was in the hospital doing something she would text me and let me know that they’re infusing somebody with platelets, plasma or whole blood,” he said. “It was a personal thing — that I knew it was going to somebody who was needing it.”
Murray’s daughter, Brittany Ryerson has been a nurse for the past six years. In her line of work, she sees a “huge need” for blood and blood products.
Article content
She said some patients will need an infusion once a week or once a month, but others facing trauma or post-operative complications will require a lot more blood.
“I think the most I have given is 12 bags in one shift,” she said. “I’ve transfused handfuls after surgeries where there’s complications or something has ruptured before they’ve gone in.”
With many people who don’t or can’t donate, Ryerson said she is thankful to her father for his commitment to giving blood.
“Seeing how much we go through and I know how time consuming it is (to donate) that’s a lot of hours for a person,” she said, adding she’s proud to see him hit this milestone.
Heading into 2024, Murray encourages people to think of ways to “make an impact on a stranger.”
“I think those that have never donated before, they are the heroes that show up that first time.”
• To find out if you are eligible to donate blood go to www.blood.ca
Related Stories
'Without it, lives are at stake': Need for blood in Sask. outpaces blood donations
Blood needed in Sask., some willing residents unable to donate
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add LeaderPost.com and The StarPhoenix.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
Article content
