Article written by Neil Mistry, Plasma Engagement Manager at the Birmingham Plasma Donation Centre
As we approach West Midlands Life Sciences Week from 15th-19th September, we celebrate a major medical milestone. From early 2025, thanks to thousands of dedicated donors and the expanded NHS plasma for medicine programme, patients across the country started receiving vital treatments made from UK donated plasma. This is not just a historic change: it’s a lifesaving one.
Why Plasma?
Plasma, the pale-yellow liquid that makes up around 55% of your blood, is rich in antibodies and proteins used to create treatments for over 50 life threatening conditions. These include immune deficiencies, rare neurological disorders, trauma, liver disease, and complications during childbirth.
Each year, more than 17,000 patients in England rely on plasma medicines like immunoglobulin and albumin, yet for decades, we’ve depended on importing these medicines mainly from the US. That’s changing.
The NHS’s new plasma strategy will see the UK:
- Produce 25% of its immunoglobulin needs in 2025 (rising to 35% by 2032)
- Meet 80% of its albumin needs domestically
- Reduce reliance on foreign suppliers while improving security, sustainability and making savings for the NHS.
How You Can Help
There are two ways to donate plasma:
- Donate blood: when you donate blood, we will remove the plasma from your blood and freeze it to make medicines
- Donate plasma: we can remove your plasma from your blood, returning your red cells, which means you can donate more often – every two weeks – because your body replaces your plasma quickly, reducing the impact on your body.
Dedicated plasma donor centres are open in Birmingham, Reading, and Twickenham, and you can book an appointment at blood.co.uk.
To meet our national targets, the NHS needs to collect 300,000 litres of plasma every year – each drop counts and helps make life-saving medicines.
Real People. Real Impact.
Our plasma community engagement efforts have expanded significantly across Birmingham and beyond. We’ve proudly connected with diverse communities through key partnerships and events, including:
- University Hospitals Birmingham
- Birmingham New Street Station
- University of Birmingham Markets
- Bruntwood buildings
- Portico managed corporate offices
- Nishkam Healthcare
- Birmingham Half Marathon
These collaborations have helped raise awareness, boost donations, and build a growing movement of committed plasma supporters across the city.
Last month in Birmingham, we saw powerful proof of plasma’s potential.
Professor Paul Cadman marked a milestone donation, joined by a remarkable group of local leaders:
- Phil Upton, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire presenter, a regular plasma donor recorded his experience to help amplify the message
- Simon Evans, Associate Partner at Walk Through Walls became a first-time plasma donor
- Arron Wincott, General Manager of Hotel du Vin: attended the Birmingham Plasma donor centre
- Mike Hammond, CEO of Birmingham Hospital Charity, who switched from blood to plasma donations
- Councillor Alex Yip, representing Wylde Green, was in support, having already donated blood.
These individuals aren’t just community champions: they’re now plasma advocates. Their participation highlights the importance of leadership in promoting public health and creating a culture of donation.
Why It Matters – Gary’s Story
Gary Khan, a former athlete and coach, who developed Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) after contracting COVID-19. Unable to walk or care for himself, Gary received a critical course of immunoglobulin (IVIG). Within days, he regained movement – and with time, his independence.
In his words:
“Until you’re a recipient, you don’t appreciate the importance of donating.”
Join the Mission
The whole process of Plasma donation: from screening, vein assessment to donation takes around 90 minutes for a first-time donor – it safe, and truly life-saving. You can help treat patients like Gary and thousands of people in life-saving emergencies or living with conditions like:
- Haemophilia (1,200 donations = 1 year of treatment)
- Primary immunodeficiency (130 donations/year)
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (900 donations/year)
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) (465 donations/year)
As part of Life Sciences Week, we invite businesses, communities, and individuals to champion plasma. Whether by donating, sharing the message, or encouraging your organisation to get involved – your action will help save lives.
Visit www.blood.co.uk/plasma to learn how and where to donate.
For any hyperlocal activations in Birmingham: please reach out to Neil Mistry: Plasma Engagement Manager on neil.mistry@nhsbt.nhs.uk.
