Author
Petra Netzel, as appeared in Alpha1 Journal 2/2023.
Therefore, the reopening of the Haema donation center in Brandenburg an der Havel on November 15, 2023, following its relocation, was a very special and important event. Rüdiger Zerbe and I, Petra Netzel, were privileged to participate as patient representatives from Alpha1 Germany e.V. We are both also members of the Berlin-Brandenburg self-help group. The welcoming remarks and introductions of the many guests were given by Haema board members Dr. José Rivero and Frank Pilgram, Dr. Nancy Kelle, and Britta Diebel, Haema's press officer.
I was particularly impressed by the welcoming remarks from Dr. Antje Töpfer, State Secretary in the Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection of the State of Brandenburg, at the reopening of the Haema blood and plasma donation center. She spoke comprehensively and insightfully about the vital importance of Haema's presence at this location. She acknowledged the great responsibility of all employees and expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Haema team for their dedication.
The welcoming remarks from Stefan Scheller, Mayor of Brandenburg, were equally heartfelt. They expressed gratitude for what had been achieved while also looking to the future. The reopening of the Haema donation center is a valuable addition to the city of Brandenburg.
According to the agenda, the group toured the center and met some of the donors. This gave plasma donors and recipients the opportunity to talk. The center's rooms are spacious, bright, and very modern. It was clear that the staff enjoyed their work there.
The open discussions with the guests were varied and interesting. Britta Diebel and her team were always available to answer questions. All in all, it was an informative and superbly organized day together at Haema. A wonderful, delicious snack was provided. Afterwards, we focused on the informational discussions between donors and us Alphas. Britta Diebel's words: "We are building a bridge between plasma donors and recipients." Those are the right words, in my opinion, and that's how we got started.
Rüdiger and I immediately went to the donors, greeted them, and introduced ourselves. The exchange was fascinating, friendly, and emotional. The plasma donors knew that plasma cannot be artificially produced, but they themselves had never had personal contact with a sick person who depends on it. The fact that this yellow fluid is so valuable to us Alpha-1 patients and other patients, and that without plasma our lives might end sooner, was new and shocking for the donors. It was very moving to feel how close you suddenly are to the donor.
For your information, 30,000 blood and plasma donations are collected annually at Haema in Brandenburg an der Havel! One of these donations came from Enrico Weiß, 36, who donated plasma for the 511th time on this special day. He received an award from the donation center, and we congratulated him warmly. I had the pleasure of meeting him. He donates blood and plasma, as do his wife and 18-year-old son. The family is aware that this is an easy way to help others. However, he had never before had personal contact with someone who so desperately needs plasma for their life. He was visibly moved by my story and the explanation of the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Of course, I informed him about what we, as affected individuals, can do for ourselves and that we receive help and support through our association, Alpha1, and the self-help group. For me, the most important thing that day was being able to express my heartfelt and immense gratitude to the donors.
The entire Haema team deserves thanks and recognition for their work at the blood and plasma donation center. They are responsible for the further processing of the donations, ensuring that they reach the places where blood and plasma-based medications are urgently needed: clinics, hospitals, doctors' offices, etc.
We owe our participation in such an important Haema event and the opportunity to interact directly with donors to Britta Diebel. She gave us the chance to act as a mediator and shed light on the situation. The shared experience was invaluable and we would gladly repeat it.
