A Weston Hills man inspired to give blood by his mum, has spoken of the ‘surreal’ moment he met a woman whose life was saved by his donation.
Alex Quant-Smith (37) began donating after his mum Clare needed a transfusion during a routine operation when he was 15.
Last week he was shown on BBC’s The One Show meeting Ruth Cork alongside presenter Jeff Brazier.
In August 2022, Ruth (38), of Shrewsbury, was riding a motorbike in the Lake District when she was involved in a collision with a lorry that left her with serious head and face injuries and 13 broken bones.
Due to the amount of blood she was losing and internal bleeding, she needed a life-saving blood transfusion onboard the Great North Air ambulance.
They used plasma from the blood donation given by Alex at Springfields Events Centre.
“It still feels surreal that my donation went to save someone’s life,” Alex said. “When you’re sitting in the chair for ten minutes, you don’t see yourself as a ‘lifesaver’, and I still don’t.
“You hear how important blood donation is but meeting someone who has received my blood really drove it home.”
Alex began giving blood when he was old enough to do so, but he was actually banned from making donations for a number of years due to his sexuality.
He describes that as ‘annoying’ but is ‘thankful’ the rules were changed in 2021, in time to help save Ruth’s life.
The pair continue to be in contact and plan to meet again.
Alex, his husband Jason and their two adopted kids aged six and five, all sat and watched last Thursday’s show together at home.
“They were fascinated I was on TV,” continued Alex. “The classic child questions: “Is that you? It looks like you”.
“My little girl did get a little upset as she didn’t understand it straight away and was worried about my blood, but we took the time to explain it and she was ok.”
Ruth said about the meeting: “As an ordinary person, Alex has done something extraordinary – saving a life, which very few can say they’ve done.
“He played an early and critical role among the many who helped save mine. He will always have a special place in my heart, and in my blood!
“Meeting Alex was an emotional experience that filled me with excitement, profound gratitude, and anticipation.
“I was delighted to finally give thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to the man whose selfless act of donating blood saved my life.
“Our conversation was reassuring and enlightening. We discovered a number of shared interests as we delved into each others’ life stories.
“I suspect that we have found a lasting friendship that will endure for many years to come. All from the act of Alex donating blood, without a second thought as to whom it may save.”
Alex, who works as a teacher for children with hearing difficulties, has donated blood ‘around 15 times’ and encourages others to do so.
“You never know when someone you know/love will need blood, plasma or platelets.
“The act of donating doesn’t take very long and it’s only a couple of hours every few months.
“It could literally save someone’s life.”
The NHS needs nearly 200,000 blood donors every year, especially those with blood types in high demand such as O negative.
To book an appointment visit the NHS Give Blood website, use the NHSGiveBlood app, or call 0300 1232323.
Alex and Jason.
