People in Liverpool who have had coronavirus are being urged to come forward and register as plasma donors.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said more people than ever could be eligible to donate, as cases soared after Christmas.
Nearly 15,000 people in Liverpool have already registered to donate convalescent plasma after having coronavirus.
Their actions could be life-saving for others.
The antibody-rich plasma of people who’ve had the disease might save the lives of those who struggle to develop their own immune response to the virus, experts say.
People can only donate 28 days after they’ve recovered, so the number of potential donors is now at its highest ever level following the national record number of cases over the New Year.
Nearly 15,000 people in Liverpool have already registered to donate convalescent plasma after having coronavirus, but professor Dave Roberts is urging more people to come forward.
The Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation at NHSBT said: “More people than ever can help – the time to donate is now.
“We especially need donations from people in Liverpool who’ve had hospital care. Men who had hospital care are around six times more likely to have the high antibody levels which might save lives.”
NHSBT is collecting plasma for new trials for older people or those with cancer to treat them early in the course of the infection.
Plasma donation was paused and then restarted last week as two trials of plasma use in hospital went into analysis.
They reported no overall benefit but analysis is ongoing for benefit in subgroups.
Further trials are exploring early use of plasma, before people are hospitalised. Antibodies stop the virus, they don’t treat the organ damage it causes, so research is now focusing on earlier use.
Prof Roberts added: “We have completed two trials and analysis is ongoing. We now need to collect plasma for further planned clinical studies. We’re particularly looking at high risk groups such as the elderly and people with cancer.
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“Donations are vital to the ongoing lifesaving research, which gives us a better understanding of how we can best treat patients with COVID-19 and help prevent deaths in the future.”
Donations are being taken at NHSBT’s 23 blood donor centres and a further 20 pop-up plasma donor centres.
Donation takes about 45 minutes.
NHS Blood and Transplant said: "Your body quickly replaces the donated plasma and donated antibodies. All donations are tested for coronavirus antibodies.
"Men, black and Asian people, and people aged over 35, are more likely to have the high antibody levels needed for donation.
"Nationally, more than 300,000 people have offered to donate and more than 60,000 donations have been taken."
