UK's most prolific blood donor gives gift of life 138 times

A COVENTRY grandfather has achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming the NHS's most prolific blood donor in history - a generous act that unexpectedly revealed his own medical condition.

- By KATY HALLAM News Reporter

Peter Randle, 69, embarked on his blood donation journey aged 18 whilst at university. He has since donated blood an extraordinary 138 times.

The financial adviser, who possesses O negative blood - a universal type that can be administered to anyone during emergencies - explained how his routine donations resulted in medics discovering his own health issue.

“I was diagnosed with something quite accidentally really, called haemochromatosis, which is where your blood produces too much iron and that iron can attach itself to your organs if you don’t control it,” said Peter.

“I was OK because I was giving blood regularly, because that’s the treatment for it, to take blood regularly, they then allowed me to go every two months when other donors are allowed to donate every three months.

“It’s a win-win because I can give more often and people will benefit from it. So I put my foot on the accelerator then and now go about every eight weeks.”

Peter has urged people to save lives by donating blood.