(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
Rare blood donor Mina Stoddart-Stones among only nine people in the UK with unique blood type
A 26-year-old woman from Bridgwater in Somerset says she feels “very special and honoured” after learning that her blood type is so rare that it is preserved for up to 30 years to help critically ill patients. Mina Stoddart-Stones, who has been donating blood for several years, recently discovered that she is considered a “VIP donor” by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) because of her extremely rare blood type.
According to NHSBT, there are only nine known donors in the United Kingdom who share the same rare blood characteristics as Stoddart-Stones. Her blood is classified as U-negative and N-negative, meaning it lacks certain antigens that are present in almost 100 percent of people in the UK.
Because of its rarity, donated blood from people with this unique type is carefully stored and frozen so that it can be used for patients who require an exact match. In some cases, the blood can be preserved for up to three decades, ensuring that it remains available for emergency medical situations. Speaking about her rare status, Stoddart-Stones said she initially had no idea that her blood type was so unusual. After learning about its importance, she felt proud to know that her donations could potentially save lives.
“It makes me feel very special and honoured, actually, that I could help someone that is really poorly,” she said.
Health officials encourage eligible donors to give blood regularly, noting that rare blood types are particularly valuable in treating patients with complex medical conditions.
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