A man from County Durham, Andrew Bruce, has been recognized as one of only ten individuals in the UK to achieve the status of “super donor,” a title that reflects his decades of dedication to blood donation. Over the past forty years, Bruce, aged 58, has donated blood, platelets, plasma, and even stem cells, highlighting his commitment to helping others in need.
Bruce made his first blood donation at the age of 18 and took the significant step of donating stem cells in 2010. He has O- blood, known as the universal blood type, making his contributions especially valuable in emergency situations. “I’ve always been the kind of person who is keen to help,” Bruce stated. “It’s partly why I joined the fire service in 1988, so going to give blood when I turned of age seemed like the right thing to do.”
His commitment to blood donation is shared by others on the exclusive list of super donors. Among them is Andy Stowe, 64, from Birmingham, who expressed his passion for donating. “Being able to donate is such an honour – it’s something I have always loved to do and will continue to do as long as I am able,” Stowe said. He emphasized the personal significance of his donations, particularly as his wife may soon require plasma-based treatment.
Another super donor, Dr. Christopher Black, 31, an anaesthetist from Leicester, also shared his perspective. “At work, I see the reality of how blood can bring people back to life,” he remarked. “The fact that I can pick up the phone, ask for blood and have it delivered right away can only happen through the work of hundreds of people and one particularly special person – the donor.”
The organization behind this initiative, NHS Blood and Transplant, was established in October 2005 following the merger of the National Blood Authority, UK Transplant, and Bio Products Laboratory. Since its inception, only ten people have successfully donated all blood components and stem cells, marking a significant achievement in the field of blood donation.
Mark Chambers, director of donor experience at NHS Blood and Transplant, commented on the rarity of such dedicated donors. “It’s a very rare thing for somebody to have directly donated every blood component,” he stated. “To donate solely with the desire to help others shows a real altruistic nature. We cannot thank every donor enough for all they do to help the many people who need treatment.”
The full list of super donors includes:
– Adam Murchington, 61, from Birmingham
– Andrew Bruce, 58, from County Durham
– Andy Stowe, 64, from Birmingham
– Anthony Robson, 33, from Stockton-on-Tees
– Christopher Black, 31, from Leicester
– Henry Care, 33, from Manchester
– James Allen, 44, from London
– Robert Clay, 64, from Solihull
– Stuart Reader, 62, from Essex
– Tim Sargeant, 58, from Essex
NHS Blood and Transplant continues to encourage more individuals to step forward and donate blood, emphasizing the critical need for contributions that save lives. For those interested in learning more about donation opportunities or signing up, additional information is available through NHS channels.
