A Llanfarian man who has donated 75 pints of blood over his lifetime is encouraging others to donate after illness left him unable to do so.
From the period of April 1978 to September 2018, Mike Goodson donated 75 pints of blood, theoretically helping up to 225 people.
His achievements as a blood donor were celebrated during a Welsh Blood Service event held at TyGlyn hotel near Lampeter last month.
Mike, 59, is no longer able to continue his donations due being diagnosed with the disease Parkinson’s in January this year.
Mike said: “I take each day at a time. I’m trying to function as normally as I can.
“I’m very sad that I can’t give blood anymore. There is a shortage of people coming forward to give blood.
“It’s a shame not more people are coming forward.”
Not only has his diagnosis affected his ability to donate blood, it has also affected his active lifestyle. Mike has represented Aberystwyth Athletics Club, as well as the rugby and football team during his time at Penglais Secondary School.
Mike said: “Parkinson’s has robbed me of everything I love. I used to be so active.
“But I’m going to battle it. My motto is, ‘if you don’t use it you’ll lose it’.”
For more information, or to start your own donation story, please go to https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/
See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now