A mum whose serious illness is treated by plasma medicine is today [Thursday, April 27] visiting London’s plasma donor centre in Twickenham to thank staff and donors during Plasma Donation Week.
Kate George, aged 48, of Isleworth in Hounslow, is supporting the campaign appeal for more than 1,000 new donors in London.
Donated plasma is made into a medicine called immunoglobulin, which strengthens or stabilises the immune system. It’s used to treat more than 50 diseases.
Last year, 3,788 people from Greater London received immunoglobulin.
NHS Blood and Transplant has invited people like Kate to its three donor centres for its new Plasma Donation Week – the first ever – to help celebrate the 12,000 life-saving plasma donors who have come forwards since donation to the NHS restarted in 2021.
image005.pngimage006.png
Kate has common variable immunodeficiency – her body does not produce enough antibodies to fight infections.
She receives weekly subcutaneous immunoglobulin infusions to boost her antibody count and her immune system.
“My consultant said if I had tried to get pregnant before treatment, I would probably have lost my child,” said Kate, a senior HR manager.
“Immunoglobulin gave me the ability to become a mother.
“And without I am not sure I would be here either, as I could have caught something like pneumonia.
“The longer you have it without treatment, the more risk of organ damage. Something would have got me by now.”
Kate was diagnosed after years of repeated illnesses and infections.
Tests found her antibody count was about 5% of normal.
She is under the care of the Royal Brompton Hospital and gives herself home infusions.
“I was told ‘either you get the immunoglobulin and you have a life, or you don’t – and you will die’.”
She added: “I am so pleased we are having a Plasma Donation Week because not enough people know about it.
“I am really happy to be able to thank donors in person. They are the people that keep me alive.
“It’s amazing that people donate. I am so grateful.”
Pamela Antoinette, Twickenham Plasma Donor Centre Manager, said: “Our staff and donors feel very proud to actually meet someone whose life has been saved by plasma donation.
“Every donor makes a huge difference people to people like Kate who rely on medicines made from plasma to save and improve their lives.”
“Giving plasma is as easy and safe as giving blood and you will be helping to make medicines to treat more than 50 diseases.”
England relied on solely on imported plasma medicines for more than 20 years as a precaution against vCJD but the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said in 2021 that plasma from UK donors can again be used for immunoglobulin.
Donations are being frozen until the manufacturing chain is finalised this year. They will bolster long term availability of the medicine in England, giving patients more protection from international shocks and shortages.
