Blood needed from people who have had coronavirus

The donated blood will then go through a manufacturing process which will extract plasma from the blood.

Plasma is the yellowish liquid compound of blood that holds the blood cells in suspension and will have antibodies that it is hoped can be used in the treatment of patients seriously ill with Covid-19.

Currently the NIBTS is taking part in conjunction with the other UK Blood Transfusion Services in trials which could potentially develop this life saving convalescent plasma treatment.

On Friday 19th June, in the NIBTS Headquarters on the Belfast City Hospital Site, the first donation of convalescent plasma was collected.

The first volunteer to donate was a Mr Darran Jennings who contracted the Covid-19 virus but has now fully recovered. It is hoped that Darran will be followed by many more volunteers.

If you have tested positive for Covid-19 and would like to help in this life saving work please, visit the NIBTS web site to register at, www.nibts.org.

The Health Minister Robin Swann recently visited the NIBTS Headquarters to thank staff and donors for their dedication during the pandemic. The Minister welcomed the participation of NIBTS in the blood plasma trials.

The Minister said: “Northern Ireland plays a key role in world-leading research and I have every hope this treatment will be a major milestone in our fight against this disease. The selflessness and public spirit that’s been so evident across our community during the Covid-19 pandemic is continuing through a number of important clinical trials. I want to thank everyone who has stepped forward to help in the battle to defeat Covid-19.”

Matt Gillespie from NIBTS said, “This is a real opportunity for people to come forward, donate and to really make a difference to the lives of other people.” He continued, “Potentially, as with all blood donations, you could be saving someone’s life.”