Andrew Bruce, a 58-year-old fire safety adviser from County Durham, has been recognized as one of only ten individuals designated as “super donors” by NHS Blood and Transplant. This honor comes as a result of his remarkable commitment to donating blood, platelets, plasma, and stem cells over a span of four decades.
Bruce made his first blood donation at the age of 18 and has since contributed significantly to various blood components, including stem cells, which he donated in 2010. With his O- blood type, known as the universal donor type, his contributions have been vital for emergency situations. Bruce stated, “I’ve always been the kind of person who is keen to help…so going to give blood when I turned of age seemed like the right thing to do.” He encourages others to consider donating, highlighting that “it’s an easy thing to do” and can have a profound impact on those in need.
Joining Bruce on the exclusive list of super donors are individuals like Andy Stowe, 64, from Birmingham, and Dr Christopher Black, 31, an anaesthetist from Leicester. Stowe expressed the significance of his contributions, especially as his wife may soon require plasma-based treatment. He noted, “It’s brought home just how important it is that there are donations there when people need them,” emphasizing his pride in being a donor of all blood types.
Dr Black shared a poignant perspective from his professional experience, stating, “At work, I see the reality of how blood can bring people back to life.” He acknowledged the critical role that donors play in saving lives, stating, “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 initiative that recognizes super donors stems from the establishment of NHS Blood and Transplant in October 2005, when the National Blood Authority, UK Transplant, and Bio Products Laboratory merged. Since then, only ten people have been acknowledged for donating every blood component along with stem cells.
Mark Chambers, director of donor experience at NHSBT, commented on the rarity of this achievement, stating, “It’s a very rare thing for somebody to have directly donated every blood component.” He praised these ten men for their commitment to helping others across multiple avenues. Chambers added, “To donate solely with the desire to help others shows a real altruistic nature, and we cannot thank every donor enough for all they do to help the many people who need treatment from blood, plasma, platelets, or stem cells.”
The full list of super donors includes:
– Adam Murchington, 61, Birmingham
– Andrew Bruce, 58, County Durham
– Andy Stowe, 64, Birmingham
– Anthony Robson, 33, Stockton-on-Tees
– Christopher Black, 31, Leicester
– Henry Care, 33, Manchester
– James Allen, 44, London
– Robert Clay, 64, Solihull
– Stuart Reader, 62, Essex
– Tim Sargeant, 58, Essex
NHS Blood and Transplant continues to call for more individuals to consider donating blood. By sharing stories of super donors like Andrew Bruce, the organization hopes to inspire others to step forward and contribute to this essential cause. For those interested in donating, further information can be found on the NHS Blood and Transplant website.
