As Birmingham Selly Oak MP and Minister for Veterans & People, Al Carns, donated plasma for the first time, he called on others across the West Midlands to do the same.
In a new video interview released this week, Carns described the experience as “really easy” and praised the staff at the donation centre.
and praised the staff at the donation centre.
“I’d recommend it to anyone,” he said.
“Come in, you get really well looked after by amazing staff. They hook you up to the machine and in goes the plasma.”
A life-saving donation
Cairns urged his constituents and the wider public to find their nearest donation centre and give plasma if they can.
“The plasma collected here goes to help hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. It’s used to make medicines and treat people with serious illnesses,” he said.
Plasma is a key ingredient in medicines that support people with immune disorders, burns, and rare diseases. Demand is rising – but supplies still rely on voluntary donations.
Vital for veterans and the military
As Minister for Veterans, Carns also highlighted the critical role plasma plays in saving lives on the battlefield.
“In Afghanistan, they used to take plasma and put it on CH-47 helicopters with the medical teams,” he explained. “When they flew to the point of wounding, they had plasma ready to go – and it saved lives. Not just in the military, but here in the NHS too.”
He added: “If you have the chance, please donate. It really does make a difference.”
Donation made easy
Plasma donations are carried out at NHS Blood and Transplant centres and typically take around 45 minutes. Donors can give plasma every two to four weeks, and the process is safe and pain-free.
With the NHS calling for more regular donors, especially in major cities like Birmingham, Carns hopes his example will inspire more West Midlanders to roll up their sleeves.
To find your local centre and book an appointment, visit: www.blood.co.uk/plasma.
