10 ‘superdonors’ in England have made dedicated blood, plasma, platelet and stem cell donations through the NHS

10 people in England have made dedicated donations of every blood component - blood, plasma, platelet and stem cells - through the NHS. They've also all registered as potential organ donors on the Organ Donor Register.

NHS Blood and Transplant explored its donor statistics as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the organisation and discovered that, between 2005 and 2025, just 10 people have attended at least 1 appointment to specifically donate each of blood, plasma for medicine, platelets and stem cells, making a total of 574 donations.

The 10 donors, all men, are aged between 31 and 64 and based across the country.

The 'superdonors'

Andy Stowe, sitting in a donation chair and holding a present box. The box is wrapped in light blue wrapping with a yellow bow and has the tag "my gift of plasma" Andy Stowe, 64, a cycling officer from Birmingham, is one of the 10 donors identified. He started donating as a teenager, donated stem cells in 2013 and now donates plasma every 2 weeks.

He says: "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. 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."

Christopher Black, 31, an anaesthetist from Leicester, made his first donation as a 21-year-old medical student and donated stem cells three years later.

Christopher Black holding his stem cell donation, taken in 2018 He says: "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."

Andrew Bruce, 58, a fire safety advisor from County Durham, made his first whole blood donation at the age of 18.

Andrew Bruce during a plasma donation He is the universal blood type, O-, which is crucial for treating people in emergencies He donated stem cells in 2010, the day before his birthday. He says:

"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. 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.

"My daughter is a blood donor now, too and I'm extremely proud that she has decided to follow in my footsteps. You never know when it might be you who needs it."

Jensen's story

Terri Betts, 37, from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, says her son, Jensen, wouldn't be on his way to recovery if it weren't for donors of all types. Jensen, age 7, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia in April of this year and is thought to have received over 50 units of blood and platelets in the lead up to a stem cell transplant in August.

She says: "When Jensen was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, just after his seventh birthday, our lives changed forever. We took him to hospital thinking he had an infection and might need some antibiotics but next thing we know, he’s been admitted. It was the start of a long and scary journey.

"Jensen received his first blood and platelet transfusions the very first night he was in hospital – that's when it sunk in just how serious it was – and he went on to have blood once a week and platelets twice a week right the way up until he had his stem cell transplant in August. These transfusions got him there, they made sure he could make it to the treatment that is hopefully going to make him better.

"We were really lucky that he had a match on the stem cell registries – not everybody does – and that that person agreed to donate.

"People like these 10 superdonors, who have donated every blood component - and all donors of every type - are incredibly special. It's thanks to people like them that my boy is on the road to recovery. He’s doing so much better after all of his treatment, I feel like I’ve got my little boy back and that's thanks to donors everywhere."

Terri and partner Ben have now signed up as blood donors and joined the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry at recent donation appointments.

Samantha's story

Samantha Bloomfield, 55, from Leeds, relies on medications made from plasma to treat Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) - a condition which severely compromises her immune system.

She says: "I spent years constantly being ill before I was diagnosed with CVID. It was really not nice to constantly feel horrible like I used to and it was scary having to ring an ambulance when I couldn't breathe, I wouldn't wish it on anybody. 

"But since starting my medication, which is made from donated plasma, I feel well again. My body can't make everything it needs to keep me well, so I rely on other people's donations of plasma to do so instead and I feel such gratitude for donors across the country, like these 10 incredibly committed men, who are helping me. The fact that donors take time out of their busy lives to donate truly does make my life so much better and it's really appreciated. I feel very, very lucky. Thank you to everyone who donates - you're changing people's lives."

Who are the superdonors?

Blood, plasma, platelet and stem cell donations can help to treat a number of illnesses.

A whole blood donation is usually separated into three different components – red blood cells, plasma and platelets – so blood donors are also contributing to platelet and plasma based treatments and medicines. The 10 men identified have additionally been to individual appointments dedicated to donating the individual component.

The 10 men who have made these dedicated donations, 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

Statements

Statement from Mark Chambers

Mark Chambers, Director of Donor Experience at NHS Blood and Transplant, says:

"It's a very rare thing for somebody to have directly donated every blood component and the fact that these ten 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.

"All of our donors are incredibly special. 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. You, too could become a super donor by coming forward to donate blood, plasma or platelets and by signing up to the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry at your next donation appointment."

Statement from Karin Smyth

Health Minister Karin Smyth said:

"These 10 remarkable individuals embody the very best of our NHS values – selflessly giving their time to help save and transform the lives of others.

"The stories of those whose lives have been impacted remind us why donations matter so much - supporting everything from emergency treatment to life-saving transplants and ongoing care for people with complex conditions

"I would encourage anyone to consider becoming a donor if they are able. Whether it's blood, plasma, platelets or stem cells – or registering as an organ donor – every donation has the power to save lives."

How you can help

It is quick and easy to book an appointment to give blood or plasma. There are 3 dedicated plasma donation centres, in Birmingham, Twickenham and Reading and 28 permanent blood donation centres and many mobile teams, who collect blood at community venues such as church halls around the country.

To make an appointment, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit our Give Blood website. Existing donors can ask about donating platelets.

Blood, plasma or platelet donors aged 17 to 40 can ask about joining the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry at their next donation appointment or visit our website for more information.

Visit our organ donation website to register a decision on the Organ Donor Register.