Blood and plasma donor sisters thanked by NHS

The sisters said they enjoyed the banter at the NHS centre and a chocolate orange post-donation treat

Two sisters have been thanked by the NHS after a combined 87 donations of blood and plasma between them.

Donna Fox and Joanne Gill, both from Stourbridge, travel together to Birmingham Plasma Donor Centre in New Street every three weeks on their days off.

The pair began giving blood after giving birth more than a decade ago, but both switched to plasma donations last year.

Ms Gill said: "We love the orange clubs they give us after donation. It's become a little tradition for us."

Donna Fox hopes more people will consider donating both blood and plasma

Mark Bailey, Birmingham Plasma Centre manager, said he was grateful to the sisters for their dedication.

"They bring so much fun and positivity during their visits, and staff are always delighted to see them," he added.

Ms Fox, 47, has been donating blood for 13 years but decided to swap to plasma last March after a call from NHS Blood and Transplant.

She was joined by Ms Gill, 51, who started giving blood 18 years ago after overcoming a fear of needles.

In a plasma donation, blood is drawn from one arm and sent through a machine that collects the plasma. The donor's red blood cells and platelets are then returned to the donor along with some saline.

The pair, who both work at Asda, said the centre staff, who have nicknamed them the Stourbridge Sisters, were always up for banter.

Also also inspired by their mum who donated blood, they urged people hesitating to "just go for it".

Ms Gill said: "We have seen what a difference both blood and plasma can make to those who need it. It's truly a brilliant cause."

Birmingham is one of three dedicated plasma donation centres in England, with others in Reading and Twickenham.

Joanne Gill switched to plasma donations after a call from NHS Blood and Transplant last March