Thousands more blood plasma donors needed in Birmingham

Up to 2,000 people regularly donate at the Plasma Donor Centre in Birmingham but 2,600 more are needed

A new campaign has been launched to encourage more people to donate blood plasma in the West Midlands.

NHS Blood and Transplant [NHSBT] are running the All Types Can Save Lives campaign to highlight that most people can donate, despite their blood type.

The Plasma Donor Centre in Birmingham has around 2,000 regular donors but 2,600 more are needed over next year.

NHSBT said new donors in the city would help provide enough plasma medicine to save or improve around 100 lives.

The plasma donor centre moved to a new site on New Street in September

More than 17,000 people in England currently rely on plasma for transfusions and medicines which help treat weakened immune systems, as well as cancers and other diseases.

Research from NHSBT shows most people are willing to donate plasma but many do not know if they are eligible.

Around seven out of every 10 people who come in to donate plasma at the Birmingham centre for the first time are able to donate.

The centre moved to a new building on New Street in September and is one of only three plasma donation sites in England.

Mark Bailey, operations manager, said: "Many people don't realise that they could donate but our amazing donors come from all walks of life."If you're aged 17 to 65, fit and healthy, regardless of your blood type you could become a lifesaving plasma donor."