An 83-year-old Llanelli man who gave blood 161 times over 62 years may have helped save the lives of nearly 1,000 babies. That is the estimate from the Welsh Blood Service, which has honoured Brian Edwards for more than six decades of donating.
He is one of Wales’ longest-serving blood donors. The service says his blood is suitable for neonatal care, meaning his donations could be given to babies receiving specialist treatment.
“I can’t put into words how it feels to have helped that many babies,” Brian said. “I always wanted to help people in some way, and when the blood service came to my workplace, that was the start of it all.”
Brian Edwards’ 62-year blood donor pledge began at Llandarcy refinery in 1964
Brian made his first donation in 1964 while working at the oil refinery in Llandarcy. The BP plant was Britain’s first oil refinery.
“A friend was going to donate and asked whether I wanted to go with him,” Brian said. “It was so simple.”
“After that first donation, I made a pledge that I would continue for the rest of my life if I could.”
Final donation in February 2026 as Llanelli donor asks others to take his place
Brian made his 161st and final donation in February 2026. He can no longer give blood, but he is urging others to carry on what he started.
“I’m incredibly proud to have spent so much of my life helping other people,” he said. “I’m sad that I can no longer donate, but I hope others will take my place because there are patients who desperately need people to come forward and donate blood.”
Welsh Blood Service’s Peter Richardson hails ‘remarkable’ legacy of nearly 1,000 babies
Peter Richardson, deputy director of the Welsh Blood Service, presented Brian with his award.
“Brian’s commitment to helping others through blood donation is truly remarkable,” he said. “Over more than six decades, he has quietly made an extraordinary contribution to patient care across Wales.”
“Donors giving blood do not only help patients; it gives families more precious time with the people they love. Brian’s donations may have supported the care of nearly 1,000 babies, which is an incredible legacy.”
Brian was one of more than 50 donors celebrated on the night for reaching milestones in whole blood or platelet donation, or for making a stem cell donation. Between them they have made nearly 3,500 donations, which the service says may have saved more than 10,000 lives across the country.
Welsh Blood Service needs around 350 donations every day across Wales
The service says it needs to collect around 350 blood donations every day to meet demand from hospitals across Wales. It collects around 100,000 donations in a typical year.
It has previously said it holds about seven days of stock, and that one donation can help save up to three lives, as Swansea Bay News reported when the service teamed up with Metallica in May.
He added: “We have a fantastic community of loyal donors, but we always need more people to come forward. Blood donations support cancer treatment, emergency and trauma care, and specialist treatment for mothers and babies.”
“Brian’s story shows the extraordinary difference one donor can make. We would encourage anyone who is eligible to consider booking an appointment and beginning their own donation journey.”
The service says anyone aged 17 to 66 weighing over 50kg can give blood, with height and weight restrictions for women under 20. Clinics are appointment only, and donors can check their eligibility or book at welshblood.org.uk or by calling 0800 252 266.
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