Saint John's Harry Cross makes 800th plasma donation

A Saint John senior reached a milestone Tuesday, making his 800th plasma donation at a Canadian Blood Services clinic.

Harry Cross is 78, and has been giving donations since 1961.

Now he says he doesn't even feel the needle.

"It makes yourself feel good by donating, it's so easy, it is almost entirely painless and you will feel good about yourself," said Cross. "That's why volunteers volunteer."

Cross has been a regular donor from the start, only taking a break last year when he was diagnosed with an inflammatory condition, and later suffered an aneurysm.

After an operation, he was back to the donor chair as soon as he got the all-clear from his doctor.

"I'll keep going until they say get out," said Cross.

Jacqueline Alain of Canadian Blood Services hopes Cross' achievement encourages others to donate.

"We are an aging population in New Brunswick," said Alain. "It's important to remember some of our blood donors now may require blood themselves and so would not be eligible to donate anymore."

The agency is in the middle of a holiday campaign to collect 150,000 units of blood countrywide.

Cross, meanwhile, has set a new personal goal. He's now aiming for 1,000 donations.