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Roger Brenchley's milestone blood donation

< Back to news stories 28/02/2023

Roger Brenchley, CBL’s IT and Finance Support Manager, started donating blood more than 25 years ago.  Initially he was donating whole blood three or four times a year.  Some 15 years ago he was asked if he would consider giving platelets because his blood contained a high platelet count and Southampton General Hospital is one of just 25 donation centres that can take platelets.  He started giving 2 donations of platelets every 4 – 5 weeks.  In Aug 2016 the donation centre starting collecting plasma, so he added a 3rd donation each month.  Roger now donates two donations of platelets and one donation of plasma every 4 – 5 weeks.

Roger made his 250th donation in September 2020 but, due to Covid, Recognition Ceremonies were cancelled until this month.  By the time Roger attended the NHS Blood Donor Recognition Ceremony, he had reached a grand total of 329 donations.

Roger says, ‘I’m very proud of this award.  I do have to watch what I eat and drink in the few days before giving and the donations themselves take 2 hours, but the donations make a huge difference to someone’s life.  My next target is 500 donations which I hope to achieve in the next 7 years.’

Last year Roger gave 14 times (each time was 3 donations) so he’s one of just 1394 donors that gave more than 10 times!  What a wonderful achievement.

Why give Plasma.
Plasma makes up approximately 55% of your blood, and contains antibodies, known as immunoglobulins, which fight infection.  These antibodies are made into medicines to help people with cancers, rare diseases, immune disorders, and genetic conditions.

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