NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is celebrating a major six-month milestone in its plasma donation programme, with Twickenham contributing to the achievement.

The UK now has over 2,200 NHS patients receiving life-saving immunoglobulin treatments made from plasma donated at centres including Twickenham.

Since the first patients began receiving treatment in March 2025, more than 574,000 litres of plasma have been collected and dispatched for processing into vital medicines such as immunoglobulins and albumin.

The Twickenham donor centre is one of just three in the country and has played a key role in reaching this point.

NHSBT also notes that every blood donor is a plasma donor too, as plasma can be recovered from regular blood donations.

One of the patients to benefit is Samantha Bloomfield, 55, from Leeds, who lives with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). She switched to UK-derived intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in June.

"Infusions have been life-changing for me and I rely on them to keep me well," Samantha said. "Before starting IVIG I was constantly sick and needing time off work, but now I can't remember the last time I had a chest infection.

"Knowing this treatment comes from UK plasma donors gives me real peace of mind for the future. I feel extremely grateful to all the donors who make this possible."

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Anthony Staincliffe, Assistant Director of Change Delivery and Performance for plasma at NHSBT, said: "Reaching this six-month milestone is an extraordinary achievement. It shows the real difference UK plasma donations are making to patients like Samantha.

"But we urgently need more blood and plasma donors to help save and improve lives."

The programme also strengthens the NHS supply chain, reducing reliance on imports and making sure patients can access medicines when they need them.

To find out more or to register as a blood or plasma donor, visit www.blood.co.uk, download the NHS Give Blood app or call 0300 123 23 23.

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