Milton Keynes hospital doctor donates plasma to help other patients after recovering from Covid himself

Dr Wassim Shamsuddin , who is 40, is now encouraging other people who have recovered from Covid to do the same and be part of the convalescent plasma trial through the NHS Blood and Transplant service.

The service, known as NHSBT, is leading the UK trial for convalescent plasma as a treatment for coronavirus. It is collaborating with more than 200 hospitals through the RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP trials, making it the world’s largest randomised clinical trial for this treatment.

But it urgently needs more male donors, in particular those from BAME backgrounds, to come forward as they are more likely to have the antibody-rich convalescent plasma needed.

Just over a third of first time donors from an Asian background were able to give high levels of antibodies for the trial. People in this group who needed hospital treatment are also likely to have high antibody levels.

A male booked in to donate for the first time is three times more likely to give a high antibody unit of plasma than a female . Donors from a BAME background are more than twice as likely to have a high antibody unit of plasma

Dr Shamsuddin said: “I first donated in June when the appeal first went out for more male donors and have been returning regularly over the last few months.

“Like all of us, I have seen how the virus has disproportionately affected the BAME group. Working in ICU, I have seen the effects this virus has had on individuals including those fighting for their lives.”

“Knowing that people have lost their lives to the virus and seeing this for myself, if plasma could be the difference between life or death, I’m glad that I have been able to play my part in helping others.”

“I would urge anyone who has had Covid to get in touch with your local donor centre. It doesn’t take long and you are really well looked after by the amazing staff. I look forward to seeing them each time I visit.”

“This important trial is asking for more people to donate, and men in particular from Asian backgrounds to come forward as we have a greater chance of having high antibody levels, which means we can potentially donate many times.

“Our donations could save lives, and you could play a part in that.”

Anyone aged 18 or over who has had Covid-19 can offer to donate blood plasma. Donating is easy - it takes just 45 minutes and the whole appointment, including time for snacks, lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

If you’ve had confirmed coronavirus or the symptoms, you can volunteer today to donate plasma here or simply search online for ‘donate plasma’.