How does my plasma donation help and how can I donate?

Every day blood and plasma donations can be used to help save lives and it only takes an hour of your time, writes Bethany Sirianni.

Often people remember to donate blood, but with a centre in Reading specifically for plasma donation, it is important to remember how vital plasma is too.

One hour of your time allows the NHS a better chance at treating more than 50 diseases.

The NHS Blood and Transplant website said that plasma, which makes up approximately 55% of your blood, contains antibodies, known as immunoglobulins, which fight infection. It is these antibodies, the NHS said, that are used to make medicines.

Donated plasma can be made into two medicines – immunoglobulin and albumin.

Seventeen thousand people in England rely on immunoglobulin to help them tackle immune deficiencies and improve their quality of life year on year and thousands of patients rely on albumin to help with issues related to childbirth, trauma and liver conditions.

In March 2025, for the first time in a generation, NHS patients benefited from plasma donated in England by UK donors and now the donation sites across England are urging people to donate.

There are just three places in the country where people can donate plasma - and Reading is one of them.

Since the Reading site opened in April 2021, more than 4,470 local people have become donors helping to save and improve lives. One of those is our digital editor Sarah Bosley.

She said that she began donating plasma just over a year ago, having been a blood donor since she was 18.

“When I was at school a friend was diagnosed with leukemia and one day in the common room someone suggested we should all go and give blood,” she said.

“So I did and I carried on giving blood regularly until I got a call from the blood and transplant service last year asking if I would consider giving plasma instead.

“You can’t do both at the same time, so I switched to give plasma as they explained that they needed more of those donors.

“The thought of it was a bit scary at first, as they take your blood out - take the plasma out of it - then pump your blood back into you, but it was fine.

“The process in total lasts around an hour and it doesn’t hurt at all.

“I probably used to feel more tired after I’d given blood than I do after donating plasma.

“You never know when you or someone you love may need it, so that’s why I do it.”

From June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2025, Reading Plasma Donor Centre has collected a total volume of approximately 18,818 litres.

Between April 2024 and March 2025 alone, the centre collected more than 8,668 litres of plasma, which was the highest volume collected across the three dedicated NHS plasma donor centres in England.

Emma Stone, 39, spoke to the NHS Blood and Transplant service earlier in the year about her diagnosis of a rare autoimmune disease called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

She said: “Out of nowhere my life as I knew it just stopped. It was very scary and it was very traumatic for my children to see.”

Over the span of around 6 months, Emma went from experiencing localised pins and needles to often requiring a wheelchair as her immune system attacked the nerves in her body.

She went on to have intensive treatment with immunoglobulin.

“The effect was like a miracle,” she said. “Within about four weeks it had made a huge difference and I could move almost normally again. It was amazing.

“I’d just say to all the wonderful people donating, thank you, you are giving my kids a mum back, and saving my family.”

The NHS has said it is keenly aware that the more UK donors there are, the less it has to rely on imports and so is encouraging new donors to come forwards.

If you would like to donate plasma, there is currently a temporary site available at Reading Bridge House, 4th Floor, George Street, Reading RG1 8LS, while work is under way at the permanent site.

Alia Rashid, assistant director for plasma operations at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The success of plasma donation in Reading has been significant.

“The support and commitment shown by people who live and work in the Reading area to donating plasma and helping those in need is amazing.

“We also encourage new people to think about donating plasma for the first time.

“It is really easy to book an appointment – your support is crucial to help us save and improve lives.”

To register and book your next appointment to donate blood or plasma, visit www.blood.co.uk, download the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 23 23.