It was like being a secret Santa to a secret recipient — but Brian Young of Paradise knew all he needed to know because the gift he was giving was far more valuable than anything that could be bought in a store.
On Saturday, the 49-year-old — originally from Stephenville Crossing — donated blood for the 84th time. And while he’s always done it to help others, this time was extra special.
This time, there was a recipient who needed his particular kind of blood so badly, it had to be delivered immediately.
“When I was sitting in the chair, they had the envelope ready to be delivered by courier,” Young told The Telegram. “The person needed it right away.”
Young has O-negative blood, referred to as the universal donor type that makes up only seven per cent of the population. The recipient of his blood — who wasn’t identified due to confidentiality rules — needed Young’s specific makeup of platelets as well.
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