Malaysians were recently left in awe by the dedication of an elderly man who has been donating blood consistently for nearly four decades. Since 1988, Encik Zulkarnain has donated blood an astonishing 477 times, a feat that has earned him praise from netizens across the country.
Photo via TikTok (@dermadarahkelantan)
The heartwarming story was shared by Derma Darah Kelantan on its social media platforms, where Malaysians celebrated Zulkarnain as an unsung hero. A video accompanying the post showed him smiling as he donated blood once again, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to saving lives.
Derma Darah Kelantan also revealed images of his blood donation record book, with entries dating back to his very first donation in 1988. Over the years, Zulkarnain has been a permanent apheresis donor at Malaysia’s National Blood Centre and is now based in Kelantan, where he continues his altruistic efforts.
According to his records, Zulkarnain has not only been donating plasma through apheresis but has also frequently donated whole blood, making his contributions even more significant.
The story quickly garnered widespread attention on social media, with many Malaysians expressing their gratitude and admiration for Zulkarnain’s selflessness. Some shared personal experiences of how blood donors like him had saved their lives.
One commenter revealed that she had been in a serious accident seven months ago and required 22 bags of blood. She expressed her heartfelt thanks to Zulkarnain and other donors, acknowledging that their generosity had given her a second chance at life.
Another user highlighted how Zulkarnain’s donations had likely saved hundreds of lives, while a mother shared that after needing a blood transfusion during labour, she was inspired to become a donor herself.
Zulkarnain’s dedication serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that regular blood donation can have, encouraging more Malaysians to follow in his footsteps and contribute to this life-saving cause.
