If it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for his dadB次元官网网址檚 regular blood donations during the Second World War in the Netherlands, little Hugo Sutmoller would likely have gone years with out a bit of eggs and cheese.

SutmollerB次元官网网址檚 dad would donate the blood to whoever needed it in the community in return for extra rations.

Not that it was a plentiful return of food stuffs, but it was more than anyone else was getting, said Sutmoller. The 81-year-old Cordova Bay resident told the story while he recently donated blood for the 300th time at the Canadian Blood Services in Saanich.

B次元官网网址淚t was a big occasion [when my father donated blood],B次元官网网址� Sutmoller said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 get things we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 see otherwise, eggs and other things that normally would be confiscated by German occupiers.B次元官网网址�

On Tuesday, when Sutmoller taped up for his 300th-and-something , he was joined by someone new.

Sutmoller gave 500 millilitres simultaneously while next to him young Ryan Miller, an Albertan teenager fresh out of high school, drew his first litre of blood (Miller finished first). Miller, a Sooke-based outdoor guide for the summer, came into town to make the donation and was game to take part in a special event at the clinic marking National Blood Donor Week.

Because it was his first time, the volunteers at the clinic suggested Miller partner with Sutmoller in hopes of inspiring not only Miller, but also a new wave of donors. (Miller only has 60 years to go to catch up Sutmoller.)

B次元官网网址淚t only took six minutes and I understand itB次元官网网址檚 three people per bag, so thatB次元官网网址檚 only two minutes per person, I feel like thatB次元官网网址檚 an easy thing to do to help someone,B次元官网网址� Miller said.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no excuse for people not to give blood,B次元官网网址� said Sutmoller, who first donated blood when he arrived to Canada in 1954 as a 19-year-old at Ontario Veterinary College. Sutmoller then practised as a vet in Alberta, giving blood and plasma there until he relocated to Cordova Bay 14 years ago.

B次元官网网址淧eople have up to an extra litre of blood in their system,B次元官网网址� Sutmoller said. B次元官网网址淭he blood [bank] supply relies heavily upon steady donations of blood. IB次元官网网址檓 a strong supporter of our universal health care and believe this is an essential part that fits in well with the system.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 true SutmollerB次元官网网址檚 father was his role model for donating blood,B次元官网网址� Sutmoller said.

B次元官网网址淗e donated blood even before the Second World War, his blood type [o-negative] was unique. There was storage problems for blood during the war years so he was on standby. He told stories that heB次元官网网址檇 go to give blood and the recipient would be next door. TheyB次元官网网址檇 walk his blood over in a glass beaker, mix the anti-clotting agent, and turn it upside down to go in the vein.B次元官网网址�

Going forward, Sutmoller plans on continuing to give blood, barring any unforeseen health circumstances.

B次元官网网址淚 biked home after giving 500ml on Tuesday and I felt fine, just so people are aware,B次元官网网址� Sutmoller said.

Canadian Blood Services are in need of blood and hold several pop-up clinics across Greater Victoria as well as the 3449 Saanich Rd. clinic.

To donate blood visit to book a time.