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Essex COVID-19 survivors needed as plasma donor centre opens in Chelmsford
Urgent appeal to COVID-19 survivors
An urgent appeal to Essex COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma at the new donation centre in Chelmsford has gone out from NHS Blood and Transplant.
Plasma – a blood product – collected at the centre will be used in clinical trials to determine whether the antibody-rich blood plasma found in people who’ve had coronavirus, could be an effective treatment for COVID-19.
The plasma is transfused into patients who are struggling to develop their own immune response in the hope of slowing or stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives.
Anyone aged 18 or over who has had COVID-19 can offer to donate blood plasma. It’s easy, taking just 45 minutes and the whole appointment, including time for snacks, lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
More male and BAME donors are needed as their plasma is more likely to contain the higher levels of antibodies required. People who needed hospital treatment for COVID-19 are especially likely to have high antibody levels.
If you’ve had confirmed coronavirus or any symptoms, you can volunteer today to donate plasma at the NHS website or simply search online for ‘donate plasma’.
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