News Beat
NHS: County Durham ‘super donor’s’ lifesaving efforts
Andrew Bruce, 58, a fire safety adviser, is one of just 10 people in the country to have donated every individual blood component as well as stem cells through NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).
He is joined in this elite group by donors including Anthony Robson, 33, from Stockton-on-Tees, who has also given blood components and stem cells to help patients with serious illnesses and injuries.
Blood, plasma, platelets and stem cells are used to treat a wide range of conditions, including life-threatening accidents, cancer and blood disorders.
Mr Bruce made his first blood donation at the age of 18 and went on to donate stem cells in 2010.
He has O-negative blood, often referred to as the universal blood type, as it can be given to anyone in an emergency.
“I’ve always been the kind of person who is keen to help, it’s partly why I joined the fire service in 1988,” he said.
“So, going to give blood when I turned of age seemed like the right thing to do.
“Not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s an easy thing to do, and I would encourage everyone who can to come along and donate too.”
NHS Blood and Transplant was established in October 2005 following the merger of the National Blood Authority, UK Transplant and the Bio Products Laboratory.
Since then, only 10 people nationwide have been recognised as “super-donors”, individuals who have been asked to donate multiple blood components as well as stem cells over many years.
Alongside Andrew Bruce and Anthony Robson, the group includes donors from across England who have collectively spent decades helping patients they will never meet.
They are:
- Adam Murchington, 61, from Birmingham
- Andy Stowe, 64, from Birmingham
- 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
Mark Chambers, director of donor experience at NHSBT, said: “It’s a very rare thing for somebody to have directly donated every blood component, and the fact that these men have, and are also on the Organ Donor Register truly shows their dedication to helping as many people as they can.
“To donate solely with the desire to help others shows a real altruistic nature, and we cannot thank donors like Andrew and Anthony enough for all they do.
“Their donations are improving and saving lives every day.”
NHSBT continues to encourage more people to come forward as donors, hoping that stories like these will inspire others to take the step.
