Over 100 Covid-19 survivors have donated plasma on Tyneside to help try and beat the killer virus.
The antibody rich plasma from those have beaten the bug can be transfused into those battling it.
More than 141 donations from those who have recovered have been made at Newcastle's blood donor centre on Barrack Road.
The plasma is being collected for a major treatment trial, which is succulence, will be used in hospital.
Prof David Roberts, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation, thanked those who had donated but said more survivors are needed.
“We need more donors and we want to hear from people who have had the coronavirus," he said.
“Convalescent plasma donation is safe and easy. If you get the call, please donate. Help your NHS fight COVID-19.”
The plasma with the most antibodies tends to come from people who were more ill.
For this reason, there is a particular need for recovered donors who are male, or who are aged over 35, or who were hospitalised. Their plasma is more likely to be able to save lives.
The number of plasma donations in Newcastle donor centre will increase further as the national plasma programme expands. NHSBT is taking donations at its 23 donor centres and at special ‘pop-up’ venues around the country.
Convalescent plasma donation takes about 45 minutes, during which time you can sit back and relax. Your body usually replaces the plasma you’ve donated in 24-48 hours and you can get on with your normal day after donating.
Your body quickly replaces the antibodies and people can donate plasma as often as every two weeks.
Although there is some evidence of patient benefit from the use of convalescent plasma, the safety and effectiveness of convalescent plasma transfusions needs to be confirmed by a robust clinical trial.
