Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Littleover resident Mitch in Parliament at Immunodeficiency UK’s reception highlighting the importance of plasma blood donations. 
Mitch was recently diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency and relies on immunoglobulin, a medicine derived from blood plasma.
For those who have primary immunodeficiencies, blood plasma donations are so important and I would encourage anyone who can to explore how they can help here: https://www.blood.co.uk/plasma/. The reception provided an opportunity for campaigners, the NHS and Immunodeficiency UK to speak directly to MPs about the growing need for more plasma donations and I was moved by how open and honest those who were there, who are affected by primary immunodeficiencies (PID) were about their rare diseases.
People with PID have an immune system that does not work properly, causing the body to produce too few or no functioning immunoglobulins. This means that people with PID are more likely to suffer from severe and repeated infections than those who are not affected. Therapies derived from plasma are life-saving treatments for people with PIDs, secondary immunodeficiency and approximately 50 other medical conditions.
You can read more about Mitch’s story here as well: https://www.immunodeficiencyuk.org/.../stor.../mitchs-story/
