67-year-old Hans Bertoen from Eindhoven donated blood plasma at the Sanquin blood bank for the five hundredth time on Tuesday. The retired chef hopes to help the 25,000 patients in our country who depend on plasma every year. And he has no intention of stopping anytime soon. “On to the six hundredth time,” he says enthusiastically.
Hans will receive a festive welcome at the Sanquin blood bank in Eindhoven on Tuesday morning. Nurses and donors congratulate him upon arrival, he is surprised with a bouquet of flowers and chocolates and the number five hundred in gold figures hangs above his chair. “I’m just happy that I get a cup of tea and a currant bun. I didn’t expect to be so spoiled. This is the appreciation you get,” he beams.
Hans certainly gets appreciation, because according to the nurses it is no small feat for someone to donate blood plasma for the five hundredth time. “For me it is a normal activity every two weeks,” he says matter-of-factly. “But the five hundredth time is a milestone.”
What is blood plasma and what is it used for?
Plasma is the blood fluid that transports your blood cells throughout your body. In addition, plasma ensures that your body cools down when you are too hot and warms up when you are too cold. Plasma is given in hospitals to people in acute, sometimes life-threatening situations, such as blood loss, burns or clotting disorders. The proteins from blood plasma are also used to make medicines for more than a hundred conditions, such as nerve and muscle disorders and inflammatory diseases.
Source: Sanquin
The retired chef came to live in Eindhoven for work 36 years ago and then decided to donate. “I first donated blood and then switched to blood plasma. I am also an organ donor. I do it to help people, because imagine if you suddenly need it yourself.”
Hans has never needed blood plasma himself and is still in perfect health for the age of 67. “There are people who sometimes get dizzy during or after donating, but I have never had that. You have to drink well, pay close attention to your diet and not be afraid of needles. Then you can do something for your fellow man,” he says.
Hans donates every two weeks up to a maximum of 26 times a year. The blood bank in Eindhoven feels like coming home to him. “It feels very familiar. I am a regular at home here, so you build friendships with the employees. They are very pleasant and hospitable here,” he praises.
“The baton must be passed.”
The avid donor has been trying to persuade people to donate blood or blood plasma for years, and he is quite successful. “You see a lot of young people coming along and that is important, because the baton must be passed on.”
Approximately 25,000 patients depend on plasma transfusions and medicines every year. This group of patients is growing, but the amount of plasma collected is not growing sufficiently.
Hans hopes that the group of donors will continue to grow. He isn’t thinking about quitting just yet. If he stays healthy, he can continue until the day before his 80th birthday. “I’ll make it to the six hundredth time,” Hans laughs.
