There's a little bit of Malcolm George coursing through the veins of many of us in Tauranga.

If you've ever needed to replace lost red cells after an accident, surgery or childbirth – chances are the doctors gave you Malcolm's blood.

Malcolm George with nurse Angela. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

It seems that way because Malcolm's been donating 470ml of blood every three months for more than 40 years by the NZ Blood Service. That's nearly 80L of his good, healthy, A- blood type donated to saving people's lives. That's roughly the same size as a city recycling bin.

'I make time to do it because it helps people,” says Malcolm.

The 61-year-old now donates the liquid component of blood plasma. This contains proteins, clotting factors and electrolytes which are used to make vaccines, products to treat burns, cancer patients, patients that have their immune system compromised and more.

He's given 750ml of plasma every fortnight since the option became available at the Tauranga Donor Centre on October 4, 2013. That's 30L of yellow liquid he's given away and he's willing to donate more.

'It doesn't bother me,” says Malcolm. 'Fortnightly now I have to swap arms because the old veins get a bit gristly.

'It's all for a good cause isn't it? Plasma saves a lot of lives.”

Malcolm's first donation was made in an old house behind Tauranga Hospital at age 17.

He's celebrating his 100th donation with NZ Blood Service at the Tauranga Donor Centre on August 6. But Malcolm reckons he's donated more.

'When they moved from that old house and became a separate identity as NZ Blood Service, they lost all the records. So it's only since I've been with NZ Blood Service that I've got up to 100, but in total I worked it out and I'm probably closer to 200 donations.”

Donating blood has become second nature to Malcolm. 'A lot of people take an hour but I've got it down to about 39 minutes now.”

He's a familiar face at the Tauranga Donor Centre. 'I give the girls cheek and they say: ‘Just be careful, we've got to put a needle in your arm yet'.”

Malcolm doesn't know anyone personally that his blood has helped, or what it's been used for. 'They don't tell you that.”

'Back in the old days they actually used to send you a letter and tell you that your blood was used in some operation, but they don't do that now.”

Malcom's was used for 'general surgery”.

Malcolm will make what is recorded as his 100th donation at Tauranga Donor Centre on August 6. He hopes this article will encourage more people to donate.

If you're interested in donating blood or plasma at the Tauranga Donor Centre on 154-168 Cameron Rd, contact 578 2194 or 0800 GIVEBLOOD (0800 4480325) to make an appointment, or visit www.nzblood.co.nz for further information.