By Coronavirus: blood donation and safety
With coronavirus levels still high the NHS desperately need blood, platelets and plasma donations more than ever before.
Recent statistics have shown hundreds of people are cancelling or not turning up to their donation appointments each day.
A number of clinics are running in Grimsby and in the North East Lincolnshire area each day.
The Blood and Transplant trust have said: “ The dedication of our blood, plasma and platelet donors is saving lives every day.”
“We need blood and plasma products every day to support cancer patients, new mums and babies, people with immune deficiencies or blood diseases, and people who need surgery or have suffered trauma.”
“We’re currently seeing an increase in cancellations and people rescheduling their appointments.”
Convalescent plasma is plasma that is collected from patients who have recovered from (in this case) COVID-19.
Plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 will contain antibodies that their immune systems have produced in fighting the virus.
That plasma can be transfused to patients whose own immune systems are struggling to develop their own antibodies.
To give blood you must register on the NHS Blood Donation site and book an appointment. This would be within the next three months.
There are blood donor sessions across the country every day.
Social distancing measures are being followed at all clinics as well as guidance on face masks are mandatory unless you are exempt due to a medical condition to keep the environment safer.
Contact Gi Grimsby
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