New donor centres opened to support call for COVID-19 plasma donors in London
A new centre for people to donate life-saving blood plasma is opening – as one has already taken some from 300 people.
NHS Blood and Transplant is opening a new ‘pop-up’ COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor centres in The Danson Centre in Bexleyheath to help collect an extra 500 plasma donations over the next two weeks.
It is one of three created in addition to the existing, permanent donor centres in Tooting, which has which has taken more than 300 donations already.
NHSBT is urgently trying to collect convalescent plasma – the antibody rich plasma of people who have recovered from COVID-19, which can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.
The antibodies can attach themselves to the virus and stop it invading cells.
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NHS Blood and Transplant Covid Plasma trials, Birmingham.
NHSBT is asking people from London who live near a donor and who have recovered from COVID-19 to get in touch on 0300 123 23 23 or at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk as they may be able to donate too.
Prof David Roberts, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation, said: “Thank you to everyone in London for donating convalescent plasma to try and save lives.
“We know many people who can donate will have been through a difficult experience and we are grateful for their help.
“Convalescent plasma donation is safe and easy. If you get the call, please donate. Help your NHS fight COVID-19.”
Convalescent plasma donation takes about 45 minutes, during which time you can sit back and relax. Your body usually replaces the plasma you’ve donated in 24-48 hours and you can get on with your normal day after donating. Your body quickly replaces the antibodies and people can donate plasma as often as every two weeks.
Although there is some evidence of patient benefit from the use of convalescent plasma, the safety and effectiveness of convalescent plasma transfusions needs to be confirmed by a robust clinical trial, which is being led by NHSBT’s Clinical Trial’s Unit.
The plasma with the most antibodies tends to come from people who were more ill. For this reason, there is a particular need for recovered donors who are male, or who are aged over 35, or who were hospitalised. Their plasma is most likely to be able to save lives.
- If you live near a donor centre and have recovered from COVID-19, you can offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting www.nhsbt.nhs.uk
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