Be a hero time and time again

“Most people at the donation centre just call me by my last name because that’s the name they see on my uniform,” Charles jokes, adding: “It feels like I’m amongst friends here.”

Charles - a United States Army Staff Sergeant - has served his country for nearly 20 years, and is currently based in Virginia. He’s also been a dedicated Octapharma Plasma, Inc., donor since he first arrived for duty in Virginia in 2021 and intends to continue to remain one.

A single donation can save lives in many different ways

The plasma in our bodies is essential to protect us from infections and blood disorders, and it also plays a critical role in coagulation. Plasma-derived therapies - which depend entirely on plasma donations - are used in numerous critical medical treatments. They help millions of people worldwide with life-threatening conditions such as primary immunodeficiency, bleeding disorders, and in critical care and emergency situations.

Given the life-saving nature of these treatments, we at Octapharma value our plasma donors just as much as we value our patients.

Giving his all to save lives

As a soldier, Charles knows all about sacrifice and selflessness in order to save the lives of others. When he donates twice a week, it's no different. Even with his wife and children back home in Colorado, Charles will remain in Virginia throughout the rest of 2025.

“The atmosphere at my Octapharma Plasma donation centre is always friendly and welcoming, which makes the process enjoyable, comfortable and trustworthy,” Charles emphasises. “One of the things I appreciate most about Octapharma Plasma is its focus on donor care.”

Charles briefly donated in 2006, but he didn't really understand the power of plasma until he learned about a colleague’s wife who needed plasma treatments every month.

Dedicated donor

Today, Charles is well known and liked at his centre. The staff enjoy seeing him regularly and he’s got a few employees he’s grown fond of who typically look after him during his donations.

Charles’s centre was one of the first Octapharma Plasma locations in the US to open. In 2024, the centre relocated across the street to a new facility with an updated design and upgraded technology. As part of the re-opening ceremony, Charles spoke on behalf of donors, and he shared his experiences with representatives from the community, officials and the local Octapharma Plasma team.

After his current stationing, Charles is retiring and heading home to be with his family. But until then, life-saving plasma donations are going to remain a part of his routine.

“How my centre treats donors is phenomenal,” he says. “I'll be here for another year and they’re going to be seeing me every week.”