Calls for patients who have recovered from Covid-19 to donate plasma
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is asking people from Derbyshire and Staffordshire who’ve had coronavirus to register as blood plasma donors.
The antibody-rich plasma of people who have recovered from coronavirus could save the lives of people who are still unwell.
Plasma donations are being take at donor centres close to Derbyshire in Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester, Stoke, Leicester and Sheffield.
Lee Griffiths from Hilton in Derby, has now donated five times at the Nottingham Donor Centre. The 37-year-old was ill with Covid-19 in March.
He said: “I had what I'd describe as a heavy cold, right at the beginning, in the March period. It was only after the event and in particular the loss of taste and smell as a symptom that I felt strongly it was COVID.
“I suspect I picked up the virus in airports during business travel around that period. I was really happy to be called forward after applying online. Given the severity of the global situation, knowing NHS staff myself, clapping the NHS, and generally feeling helpless towards the situation, I now have a sense of pride being able to be part of the fight against the virus.”
Lee, who works in business development, added: “When you donate, it's nice to sit back, listen, read, catch up on emails whilst having some good chat with the staff. The team make it extremely simple and comfortable from start to finish. You get a real sense of achievement.”
The taking donations are being used in the plasma arms of the RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP trials. All samples and donations are tested to see if antibody levels are high enough for use in the trials. The trials will determine whether plasma is an effective treatment for routine use in the NHS.
Find out more about Covid-19 research taking place at UHDB >
People of all levels of illness can donate – including people with minor symptoms – but there is a special need for the most seriously ill people to donate as new analysis shows generally they have the highest antibody levels. Men generally have higher antibody levels than women.
Professor David Roberts, NHSBT associate medical director for blood donation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to people like Lee who have been willing to donate their plasma. By donating, you could save lives.
“If you live in Derbyshire and you can travel to a donor centre nearby, please offer to donate online.”
If you’ve had confirmed coronavirus or the symptoms, you can volunteer today to donate plasma via the NHSBT website or simply search online for 'donate plasma'.