A Pretoria man claimed on Wednesday he is the world’s real champion blood donor and that a Guinness record of 350 pints set in Johannesburg on Tuesday is not genuine.
Lionel Lewis (72) provided a South African National Blood Service (SANBS) document showing he has donated 368 pints.
Guinness World Records recognises Maurice Creswick (79) of Johannesburg as its official record holder.
Creswick donated his 350th pint of blood in Johannesburg on Tuesday after breaking his own record for the 14th time.
Lewis, however, said he began donating blood at a Hillbrow blood donation centre in 1950 when he was 18 years old.
”I remember when I donated my 25th pint; the nurses told me that I was the youngest person on record to have achieved that feat.
”When I reached the 50 level, I was giving regularly without missing.”
Lewis said he has been in touch with Guinness World Records.
”I sent all the information I have but have heard nothing from them.”
Lewis provided clippings from newspapers in Witbank and Johannesburg, confirming that he is the record holder.
He said when he gave his 300th pint in Witbank, he was joined by one of the founders of the SANBS, the late Dr Ian Rogolsky.
”Dr Rogolsky came to Witbank to be with me when I have my 300th pint. At that stage, he had donated 318 and was the world record holder.”
Lewis said the SANBS had recognised that he had given more than 300 units in its 1997 annual report.
”In that same report, there is a picture of Creswick saying he was due to give his 300th pint on March 14 1998.”
Lewis said he had given blood more frequently for about two years, when his doctor did experiments on his blood pressure and cholesterol.
”The doctor wanted to see the effect of donating more frequently, so I would give every six weeks instead of every eight. All the blood I donated was used.”
SANBS spokesperson Nicolette Duda said Lewis’s claims will be investigated.
She said Guinness World Records could have disqualified Lewis because he had given more frequently and had an unfair advantage over other donors.
”We will have to look into this. The maximum any person can donate is six times a year.”
It is hoped that Lewis and Creswick will resolve the debate without any blood being spilt. — Sapa