Birmingham's Plasma Centre reopens for more lifesaving donations

More than 500 people in the West Midlands receive plasma medicines each year

Author: Ella StirlingPublished 15th Sep 2023
Last updated 15th Sep 2023

Birmingham plasma donor centre has reopened following a move, modernisation and expansion to bring in 5,500 more plasma donations a year.

More than 500 people in the West Midlands receive plasma medicines each year.

It is now bigger and brighter, with 12 plasma donation chairs instead of nine, increasing the amount of plasma that can be collected each day.

Plasma is made into lifesaving medicines which are used to treat more than 50 diseases.

Over the last 12 months, the centre, which is one of three in the England, collected around 5,850 donations.

But the new centre needs to collect around 11,350 donations over the next year to reach donation targets and boost NHS supplies.

Amy Millard, 44, from Stourbridge, said immunoglobulin has been a ‘lifesaver’ after she developed myasthenia gravis.

Her antibodies, part of the immune system, are mistakenly attacking the receptors on her muscle fibres.

Amy’s symptoms including weakness in her facial muscle and limbs.

Myasthenia can be life threatening if it starts to affect your throat or diaphragm. People can have trouble swallowing food, breathing, and can develop pneumonia.

Amy said: “I was choking on food multiple times a day, I couldn’t pronounce words clearly as my speech was slurred, I couldn't hold my head up without support so found myself needing to spend most of time lying down because of the strain it was having on my body to sit upright.”

Amy started receiving immunoglobulin in 2019 and said: “Immunoglobulin has literally been a lifesaver. The risk of choking and the risk of aspiration pneumonia have reduced dramatically.

“I am not falling over anywhere near as often, though still use mobility aids and a wheelchair.”

“I’m so excited to see the new donor centre because I know we need more donors.

“It’s not easy for me to travel but I want to make the effort to see the staff and donors who help make this lifesaving medicine.”

Stephen Franklin, from Hollywood, is one of the Birmingham centre’s longest standing and highest donating plasma donors, with more than 30 donations.

He said: “‘Donating plasma is now a routine thing for me to do. The process is easy and straightforward and the new look centre is very nice.

“Nowadays, it’s too easy to sit staring at your phone for an hour without achieving anything. When you donate plasma, you can sit on your phone for an hour and achieve a great deal; with a coffee and a biscuit.”

Mark Bailey, Birmingham Plasma Donor Centre Manager, said: “We know many people haven’t heard of plasma donation but it’s easy and simple, like blood donation.

“Plasma helps babies’ hearts, adds antibodies, improves the immune system, prevents paralysis - it’s amazing and lifesaving.

“My team are so happy with the new look and we’d really love to see new faces down here trying donation. We need you to join our growing community of donors and help save lives.”

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