Why NHS Blood and Transplant urgently needs more donors like Paul

Blood plasma donor Paul Mates is making blood donations in the hope his antibodies can help patients recover from coronavirus.

The 50-year-old security officer from Droylsden says the process is quick and simple and is encouraging others to help if they can.

“If my plasma can help other people, I am happy to do it. If I can help someone else who is ill, that is great,” he said.

NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people who have had coronavirus during the current lockdown - like Paul - to register now as blood plasma donors.

People who have had the virus can donate their antibody-rich plasma, which could save the lives of people who are seriously ill with the virus.

The high number of cases in the area means more and more people could donate and more and more people could benefit from transfusion.

Around 1,700 donations have been made in Manchester so far at Manchester donor centres in Norfolk House and Plymouth Grove. People can register as donors online.

Around 70 people have received transfusions of plasma at hospitals in Greater Manchester since the treatment began to be used in April.

NHS Blood and Transplant is collecting blood plasma for COVID treatment - known as convalescent plasma - around the country.

The neutralising antibodies in the plasma could help stop the virus spreading.

Paul donates at Manchester Plymouth Grove.

He said: “It felt fine to donate plasma. The machines take blood out and spin it around to get the plasma and then the blood comes back in. It was quick, about 40 minutes.”

An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson added: “If you’ve had coronavirus, donation is a way you can help during any lockdown.

“We urgently need people from Greater Manchester to donate to help treat patients in the trials and make sure stocks can be made available if the trials are a success.

“We especially need male donors as they generally have higher antibody levels.”

Convalescent plasma is being collected at NHSBT’s 23 donor centres around the country, and several pop-up donor centres.

Plasma is being collected for use in the RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP trials, and if the trials are successful, general use in hospitals.

Donation takes about 45 minutes. Your body usually replaces the donated plasma and donated antibodies and people can donate plasma as often as every week.

Anyone who has had coronavirus, either a test result or have had the symptoms, can offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting www.nhsbt.nhs.uk

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DONATING: Paul Mates from Droylsden is giving his plasma at Manchester Plymouth Grove Donor Centre.