Josephine Mikhaluk was a blood donor for 58 years.
A resident of the Canadian province of Alberta has donated 96 liters of whole blood over more than half a century, which is a record among women.
80-year-old Mikhalyuk first became a donor in 1965. She was 22 then, and she decided to donate blood together with her sister. She has the first positive blood group, which is in demand in hospitals. Firstly, it is the most common. Secondly, such blood is suitable for patients with any blood group.
For 58 years, the woman took breaks due to operations and pregnancies - she became the mother of four children.
The Canadian resident noted that she will continue donating blood until the end of her life. Each time, doctors assess Mikhaluk's health and check the iron level in her blood. The elderly woman emphasized that after each blood donation she feels a surge of energy, Guinness World Records reports.
Josephine has almost doubled the previous record holder. Previously, the leader belonged to Ashok Kumar, a resident of India, who donated 55 liters of blood.
The average adult human body contains 4.7 liters of blood, which is about 10% of the total body weight. Doctors use whole blood in organ transplants, cancer treatments, and transfusions to patients who have lost a lot of blood due to injuries.
