NHS urgent appeal

NHS urgent appeal

13 October 2020

Blue Light Card are supporting NHS Blood and Transplant as they urgently appeal for people to donate convalescent plasma.

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If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or its antibodies, or had symptoms of the virus, you may be able to donate plasma to help treat coronavirus patients and save lives.

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Convalescent plasma is the liquid part of blood taken from people who have recovered from COVID-19. This plasma may contain antibodies that their immune systems have produced in fighting the virus. These neutralising antibodies stop the virus getting into cells. There is some evidence globally that COVID-19 patients may benefit from being given convalescent plasma.  

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The NHS especially need men who have recovered to donate because they have higher antibody levels. 

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Donating plasma is safe and easy; it takes about 45 minutes. Your body usually replaces the plasma you’ve donated in 24-48 hours. Your body also quickly replaces the antibodies. People can donate plasma as often as every two weeks.

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There are convalescent plasma donation centres throughout England – you can find your nearest one here..

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If you’ve had coronavirus, please offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting our dedicated website.