Wolves players star in new NHS plasma campaign video

Wolverhampton Wanderers players and staff star in a new NHS video released today urging people to donate plasma.

The team is supporting the 'All Types Can Save Lives' campaign to help people realise they may be able to donate plasma, which is used to treat more than 50 diseases.

First team players Maximilian Kilman, Fábio Silva, Saša Kalajdžić, Nelson Semedo, Matheus Cunha, joined the Grounds team, Megastore staff, and members of the Wolves Foundation, to demonstrate the diversity of potential plasma donors.

They share the message that 'people like me' can donate during training at the Molineux Stadium.

The video is being shared as NHS Blood and Transplant seeks to recruit around 2,600 new plasma donors in the West Midlands over the next year.

What is plasma?

Plasma is part of your blood, which is used to make medicines. Plasma contains antibodies which strengthen or stabilise the immune system.

Around 500 people from the West Midlands county receive immunoglobulin, a medicine made from plasma, each year, saving or improving lives. The local plasma donor centre is in New Street in Birmingham.

NHS Blood and Transplant has launched the campaign because many people don’t realise they can donate.

If you’re 17-65, fit and healthy, regardless of your blood type, you could become a lifesaving plasma donor.

Plasma donation is similar to blood donation, except a machine gradually filters out plasma from your blood.

Donna Cullen, Head of Nursing for Plasma for Medicines at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:

"We're so grateful to Wolves for its support for our plasma donation campaign because we really need to reach more people.

"Many people have never heard of plasma donation or they are not sure if they can donate but when people find out how easy it is, and how much donations are needed, they really want to help."

Head of Wolves Foundation, Will Clowes, said:

"We’re proud to be working in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant to support the appeal for more plasma donors.

"Many of us at Wolves were moved to find out how many ways plasma helps save lives and we were motivated to help educate people and build a healthier community.

"By donating plasma, you could help babies' hearts continue to beat, help build antibodies, protect pregnancies, and help boost burn treatments."

If you’re the giving type and want to donate plasma, find out more on our website.

You can donate plasma in Birmingham, Reading and Twickenham. Find out more about our donation centres here.