Nervous, but proud, Marcel Rolland made his 1000e blood donation on Tuesday, May 31 at the Globule center in Center Laval, an official Héma-Québec establishment.
The 77-year-old citizen was surrounded by two of his brothers, as well as the many employees of the center, in order to achieve this record.
He is the twentieth person to reach this mark in Quebec.
At Globule, it was an opportunity to mark the event with a celebration in honor of Mr. Rolland. Balloons and garlands decorated the place where the latter settled.
His nephew and his son also came to congratulate him. The grand-nephew has some to give blood too.
Also, some stress was palpable in the air, as it is now more difficult to implant a needle in him. Is that his veins have hardened over the bites suffered.
If the nurse missed her shot in both arms, Marcel Rolland would not have been able to make his famous donation.
A large part of Mr. Rolland’s relatives could not be present, Marcel Rolland soon intends to put it back on a Saturday with 10 to 15 members of his family and friends.
The latter brought his frame containing all the pins obtained for the number of donations made.
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Objectives achieved
Marcel Rolland admitted that he never thought of getting to the number of donations that there are now.
At the start, the latter wanted to reach 500 donations. Since he surpassed them, the man with a big heart has found another goal, that of getting two new people to donate blood every year.
With his determination, the one residing in Laval-des-Rapides has never failed in his task.
In addition, Marcel dreams of donating side by side with his son and grandson, who will turn 18 in September 2023.
“If health remains as solid, I would like to have my son on my right and my grandson on my left to have the three generations doing a good deed,” explains the Laval resident.
important cause
Marcel Rolland visits the Globule center every two weeks.
The blood donation center opened its doors almost 15 years ago and it is one of the first donors on its premises.
Before, it was with the Red Cross that it was possible to help people in need of blood, he tells the Mail Laval.
During hospital visits in his early twenties, Mr. Rolland became a recurring customer, as doctors asked visitors for donations.
The latter has never refused an invitation, hence this outpouring of generosity has grown over time.
Also, in November, he will celebrate his 55th anniversary as a donor, a great year of festivities.
“It’s too important a cause and I have the health to do it, underlines Marcel Rolland. So why not do it?”
Marcel Rolland was welcomed as a star by the staff for his 1000th donation.
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Endearing staff
It is not uncommon to see Mr. Rolland greet each employee in the place since he knows the vast majority of them.
Le Globule du Center Laval has become, over time, his second home. A few employees even asked to take a picture with him.
To thank them, one of Marcel Rolland’s brothers brought cupcakes with the Héma-Québec logo on top, a gift greatly appreciated by them.
“The staff keeps us coming back,” he says, moved by the approach of the members of the blood donation center.
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