Christine Noventa ends 50-year blood donation career

Christine Noventa has made her 90th and final blood donation after 50 years, noe.ORF.at reports. She will turn 70 in a few weeks, reaching the maximum age for donating blood.

Noventa donated for the first time in 1976, going with her sister in her home town of Königstetten in the district of Tulln. “We had never done it before and were very brave. Afterwards, we were both very proud,” she recalled.

Blood donation drives have changed over the years. Noventa remembers that red wine used to be offered, while a newer development she appreciates is receiving a text message telling donors which hospital used their blood. She has also sometimes received calls when her blood type was urgently needed.

She was turned away from donating only twice. Her final donation left her feeling “melancholy”, she said. Blood donors must be healthy and between 18 and 70, and should feel well on the day. Astrid Kristan of the Red Cross advises donors to eat and drink beforehand. About 465 millilitres of blood are taken per donation, and donations are needed regularly because stored blood lasts only 42 days. About 3.5 per cent of Austria’s population donate blood.

Noventa followed her usual routine after her last donation: sitting up slowly to check that she felt well, then heading for sausages with mustard and horseradish. She hopes her example will encourage others to donate. It always took a little effort, she said, but she enjoyed it and felt proud afterwards.