‘I just hope Rebecca would be proud of me’

AFTER ALAN MACK LOST HIS DAUGHTER REBECCA TO COVID-19 LAST YEAR, DONATING HIS PLASMA TO HELP OTHERS BECAME A WAY TO HONOUR HER MEMORY

We need men to donate as they’re more likely to have high levels of antibodies Professor Dave Roberts, associate director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant

“IT doesn’t get any easier,” says Alan Mack, 62, a retired maths teacher, as he describes the grief of losing his daughter Rebecca. She died of Covid-19 in April last year, aged just 29.

“We managed to get through Christmas, which we were dreading, but it feels like the sorrow is getting worse,” he says. “I just try to pull my boots on and get out with the dog. You have to keep going, don’t you?”

Rebecca, who had worked as a nurse on the children’s oncology ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, and later as a 111 operator, had been at home recovering from Covid-19 when she suddenly became so unwell that she called 999. “She left the front door open for the paramedics, but by the time they arrived, she’d already died,” says Alan.

He and his wife Marion had also been unwell with the virus, but recovered. “We then read online that you can donate your blood plasma to help others,” he says. “We both wanted to apply.”

Blood plasma makes up about half your blood volume. After a virus, it contains antibodies that help fight infection. “We especially need men to donate as they are more likely to have high enough antibody levels,” says Professor Dave Roberts, associate director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant.

GIVING BACK

Alan’s antibodies were so high he has donated 12 times. “It’s as easy as giving blood – just a needle in the arm,” he says. “After we lost Rebecca, I needed to give something back. Donating my plasma and raising money for the hospital she worked at is helping me. I hope Rebecca would be proud of me.”