Urgent appeal for plasma donations from recovering coronavirus patients

• Video report by Dani Crawshaw

The region's blood donor service is urging people who've had Covid-19 to donate their blood plasma.

NHS Blood and Transplant says the plasma will give seriously ill patients the antibodies they need to boost their immune system and could save lives.

More than 700 donations of COVID-19 convalescent plasma have already been made in the East for clinical trials.

Donations are safe and similar to blood donation.

The process takes around 45 minutes and the body usually replaces the plasma that has been donated in 24 hours.

Professor Mike Murphy, a Consultant Haematologist for NHS Blood & Transplant, says they particularly need men to come forward as they generally have "higher antibody levels" than women after they have recovered.

"The donation is safe, very simple and easy", Professor Mike Murphy said.

"The process involves the blood being put into a cell separator machine that spins the blood and separates the blood cells from the plasma and then returns the cells to the donor.

"You make up in the plasma very quickly, in no more than a day and after immediately after the donation you can carry on with your normal daily activities."

Donations can be made as often as every two weeks.

Potential donors are being prioritised according to who is likely to have higher antibody levels.

Some people will be asked to make a short visit first to give a blood sample and check that their antibody levels are high enough for the trial.

• To find out how you can donate, visit the website or call 0300 123 23 23