Nation's 'super donors' praised for life-saving efforts
Ten men, including 33-year-old Henry Care from Manchester, have donated blood, plasma, platelets and stem cells through NHS Blood and Transplant over the last 20 years
The nation's "super-donors" have been praised for their "dedication to helping as many people as they can".
Ten men aged between 31 and 64 have donated blood, plasma, platelets and stem cells through NHS Blood and Transplant over the last 20 years.
They are all also on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Blood, plasma, platelet and stem cells are used to help treat a variety of injuries and illnesses including life-threatening accidents and cancer.
Andy Stowe, 64, a cycling officer from Birmingham, started donating blood as a teenager, donated stem cells in 2013 and now donates plasma every two weeks.
"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," he said.
"It's currently extra important to me as my wife may soon need to have a plasma-based treatment for a current health issue and it's brought home just how important it is that there are donations there when people need them.
"I'm incredibly proud to have been a donor of all types and will continue to donate as long as I can and whatever is needed."
Dr Christopher Black, 31, an anaesthetist from Leicester, made his first donation when he was a medical student.
He said: "At work, I see the reality of how blood can bring people back to life and the reaction of family members when they hear their loved one is going to be OK.
"It really is life-changing and life-saving.
"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.
"Being able to donate is such an honour. Donating stem cells was particularly incredible - I felt so lucky to be found as a match, not many people get that privilege."
NHSBT was established in October 2005 when the National Blood Authority, UK Transplant and Bio Products Laboratory merged to create one organisation.
Since then just 10 people have been dubbed "super donors" - having been asked to donate individual blood components and stem cells.
They are:
- 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
Andrew Bruce, 58, a fire safety adviser from County Durham, made his first blood donation at the age of 18 and donated stem cells in 2010.
He has type O- blood - also known as the universal blood type because it can be given to anyone in emergencies.
"I've always been the kind of person who is keen to help - 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," he said.
"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."
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 10 men have - and are also on the Organ Donor Register - truly shows their dedication to helping as many people as they can, in as many different ways as they can.
"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.
"Their donations are improving and saving lives every day.
"As ever, we always need more people to donate and we hope that by sharing these stories, we might encourage others to take the step."