"It changed my life:" an urgent call for plasma donors in Birmingham
The first ever Plasma Donation Week is starting today
The NHS is holding its first ever ‘Plasma Donation Week’ today (24th) as new figures show more than 1,000 new donors are needed at Birmingham plasma donor centre.
Plasma donation restarted two years ago after a change in law to bolster supplies of a lifesaving medicine.
There are now 1,707 plasma donors at the centre and numbers are growing. But more donors are needed to help people like Karen Howarth from Solihull, who needs medicine made from plasma for the rare incurable disorder Stiff Person Syndrome.
Plasma is made into a medicine called immunoglobulin. It’s used to treat more than 50 diseases by strengthening or stabilising the immune system.
Last year, 1,066 people from the West Midlands region like Karen received immunoglobulin,.
The 59-year-old needs regular home infusions of immunoglobulin because she has the incurable autoimmune disorder Stiff Person Syndrome.
The neurons that control her muscles are misfiring, causing her body to tense and spasm.
People with the condition can become immobile, require intensive care, and even die.
Karen was diagnosed around 10 years ago after suffering muscle spasms, muscle stiffness, backpain, and fatigue.
She has received regular infusions of immunoglobulin ever since and currently gives herself a home infusion once a week.
She said: “The spasms are like there I something inside of you pushing out, like a bump, bump, bump. It has badly affected my mobility. I have now progressed to the point where I need a mobility scooter.
“But I would have progressed to that point years ago if it wasn’t for the immunoglobulin.
“It basically changed my life. I would be far worse now without it. When I first got it, I was able to live as normal a life as possible.
“I would say to plasma donors thank you very much you are lifesaving, literally."
And Steph Turton from Dudley also knows how invaluable plasma can be.
She started donating plasma because her mum receives it for nerve pain caused by her body reacting to cancer treatment. The medicine from plasma donors helps her body’s immune system to calm down.
She told us: "When she receives the plasma treatment, it alleviates her symptoms so she is in less pain. She is able to walk so much better.
"It's like a liquid gold, it's priceless."
NHSBT research shows that awareness is low but willingness to donate is high. In Birmingham, most people have still not heard about plasma donation but when asked 61% of people would be happy to donate.
To help more people understand how important plasma donation is, NHSBT is using this week to celebrate how proud it is of its donors.
Mark Bailey, Manager of Birmingham Plasma Donor Centre, said: “Donating plasma is safe and easy – and it feels great to donate and provide life-saving medicines.
“We know most people haven’t heard of plasma donation but when they do find out about it, they want to save lives.
“Plasma is made into medicines that are used to treat more than 50 diseases.
“This year, we need more than 1,000 more people to become regular donors at our centre, to improve long term supplies.
“We’re proud of our donors. Please join them by searching ‘donate plasma’ to register now.”