The youngest and oldest active plasma donors at Birmingham Donor Centre people are urging people to register and give it a go.
They’re supporting the first ever NHS Plasma Donation Week [started w/c April 24], launched to boost donor numbers since donation restarted two years ago. Alice Stannard, aged 17 and four months, is the youngest person to donate plasma at Birmingham’s donor centre during 2023.
Sandra Smith, aged 78 and 11 months, is the oldest person to donate plasma at Birmingham’s donor centre during 2023. Alice, from New Parks in Leicester, is a college student, who travelled to Birmingham to donate because she is interested in medicine and helping people – she hopes to become a doctor one day.
“I found it was something I could do more regularly than donating blood and I just enjoy helping people,” said Alice.
“I really enjoyed it and the staff were so friendly. As a 17-year-old, I did find it a bit scary to be in the donor centre environment with the donation machines, but the staff were so friendly that it was a really positive experience.
“I would say to other people that it’s a really good thing to do and it helps a lot of people – you don’t realise how many people need plasma medicine until you find out more about it. It might sound scary at first but it’s fine and you are surrounded by a lot of friendly people.”
Sandra Smith, a former Asda worker from Erdington in Birmingham, started donating blood products in 1971. She said: “I was donating blood about 12 months ago and I saw the NHS was recruiting plasma donors upstairs.
“So, I just walked up the stairs – it wanted to try it. You can donate every two weeks and the machines are very interesting, how the blood flows.
“Donating plasma doesn’t hurt. You get time to yourself, you can watch the TV and relax. You don’t feel anything. It’s amazing to think you can still donate and help people at 78. I also think of it as like getting a little medical check-up for myself.
“I’d say to other people; ‘give it a go’.” The NHS needs 1,000 more new donors in Birmingham.
Plasma is part of your blood. It’s made into a medicine called immunoglobulin, which is used to treat more than 50 diseases. It works by strengthening or stabilising the immune system.
During donation, a machine gradually separates out up to 700mls of plasma from your blood. Donation takes about 35 minutes and the whole visit – including questionnaires and snacks - takes around one hour 15 minutes.
Donna Cullen, Head of Nursing for Plasma for Medicines, said: “Alice and Sandra are basically donating antibodies from their immune system, which gives other people the strength to protect themselves. We need more people to register as plasma donors. Donation is safe and easy and our team will make you feel welcome.
“You recover the plasma quickly – and it feels good to help save a life.” Birmingham’s plasma donor centre is on New Street, in the city centre.
