Sasha’s Donation Story
Read Sasha’s story to learn more about why plasma donations are so important, her experience of donating and what she would say to those who are worried about blood donation.
Sasha, when did you first donate blood?
"I first donated blood in the first ever GB4G blood drive that was organised in Patrick’s memory, in November 2019. I never knew or met Patrick, but I would definitely say that I would never have become a blood (and plasma) donor if it hadn’t been for this blood drive and his legacy of improving awareness in blood donation and encouraging all of his friends and family to get involved."
How did you find out about plasma donation?
"I tested positive for COVID-19 after getting it from someone in a queue outside my gym. I was aware that you could donate plasma from posters and online adverts, and that the NHS were looking for plasma donations from people who had previously tested positive for COVID-19, as these were being used in trials that were looking into finding new treatments. As soon as I had recovered from COVID-19 myself, I called the blood donation centre. Since I had given blood recently, I had to wait a few more weeks until I was eligible to donate; however, because I was already a registered donor it was all very simple and only required booking a slot."
What are the other reasons for donating plasma?
"Although the clinical trial that my plasma was donated as a part of has now finished, plasma donations, particularly from men, are still really important and are used for multiple hospital treatments. Plasma is given to people who have experienced major blood loss, for example people who have been involved in a car crash, as well as patients with liver disease and rare diseases such as primary immunodeficiency. Plasma helps to boost the blood volume in these patients, and also helps the blood to clot as it has high levels of protein molecules used to make blood clots. There are often not enough plasma donors, since people with group AB blood are the universal plasma donors, which is the rarest blood type in the UK.”
How did you feel in the lead up to donating your plasma, through your donation, and afterwards?
“I was a little nervous before my plasma donation as I knew it would take a lot longer than a usual blood donation. However, my previous blood donations had always been fine and the staff at the Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre are always great, so I wasn’t too worried. In the end, my donation took 36 minutes. The feeling of my blood going in and out of my arm was a little strange, but not painful at all. After the donation I also felt completely fine, if a little relieved. Since I hadn’t lost any red blood cells, I didn’t feel any fatigue or light-headedness that sometimes comes with blood donations.”
What would you say to someone who was worried to donate blood or plasma?
"I would say that there’s no need to be worried about it being painful or uncomfortable, as it’s not much different than a regular blood donation. It’s also quite interesting to see how the machine works as you are sitting next to it watching it separate all the blood products."
What do you feel is the best part of donating blood/plasma?
“Definitely the teacakes at the end!”