Plasma medicine recipient visits Birmingham donor centre to thank donors and encourage donations over the festive period
Margaret Bennett, a 73-year-old retired teacher from Birmingham, visited the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) plasma donor centre on Birmingham New Street on Wednesday 3 December to meet local plasma donors and share her personal story.
The Birmingham woman, who is a wife, mother and grandmother, will be spending this Christmas with both daughters and their families – one of whom is flying in from the USA.
Margaret has been receiving plasma-derived medicines for more than 20 years and has made a heartfelt plea for donors to fill blood and plasma appointments during the busy festive period, ensuring that patients who rely on blood products continue to receive life-saving treatment throughout the winter months.
The constant risks posed by serious health issues is never lost on Margaret, who back in October 2023 was told she might not make it to Christmas due to additional health complications, which thankfully were also able to be treated.
Margaret now looks forward to celebrating all special holidays but remains acutely aware how different things could have been and how difficult this time of year can be for all those living with chronic illnesses.
Margaret says: "Many patients who rely on regular infusions need their treatments during this time of year to fight off winter illnesses, which could otherwise severely impact our health and even leave us needing urgent hospital treatment.
"Seeing so many people here today, giving up their spare time to donate plasma, is incredibly moving. Their selflessness will help patients who are depending on these life-changing medicines."
Margaret's story
Margaret has been receiving plasma-derived medicines for 22 years to manage her condition, Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). Without the medicines made from human plasma, Margaret would be unable to fight off infections, leading to serious illness.
As a former teacher, she often found herself battling common colds and infections but would struggle more than her colleagues to shake off the effects. Margaret recalls having a conversation with her GP about frequently contracting infections – he tried to make sense of this and suggested it might be down to her profession and working with young children.
Margaret explains: "I said to my doctor, 'yes I am a teacher but so are all my friends and they are not ill all the time!' It was difficult because you don’t want to have to call in sick again and I must admit, there were times when I did go to work with a raging throat infection and a high temperature. I did not want to let anyone down.
"Teaching is not like other jobs where you might be able to dial it back a bit but still go to work and get through the day. Definitely not when you have 30 children to look after – you have to be at the top of your game."
Margaret’s doctor suspected there was something more to it, and after many tests, she was diagnosed with CVID, a condition that significantly weakens the immune system.
Margaret received her first intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion in August 2003 at the hospital following her diagnosis. Since then, she has been treated with different types of immunoglobulin products, all derived from donated plasma. For the past 22 years, Margaret has relied on these vital immunoglobulin medicines, made from human plasma, to help her lead a more normal life.
Blood or plasma is one of the most selfless gifts you can offer. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Margaret adds: "Actually knowing what was causing my infections was definitely a relief. Without a definite answer in terms of what was causing my sickness, it was easy to sometimes find myself thinking I must be just a bit flaky and pathetic if I can't get into work with this once again.
"Plasma-derived medicines make a huge difference in my ability to live my life, to travel, to see family, and to spend time with my friends without constantly being poorly.
"Christmas is a time of giving, and giving the gift of blood or plasma is one of the most selfless gifts you can offer. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
"I am so grateful for the medical teams and donors who help patients like me, to enjoy a better quality of life all year round, including special times like Christmas."
Calls for more donors in the festive season
Margaret’s visit to the donor centre comes just as the festive season approaches and NHS Blood and Transplant urge both new and existing plasma and blood donors to book appointments over the coming weeks.
Mark Bailey, Birmingham Plasma Donor Centre Manager, said: "It has been incredible to have Margaret here to meet some our donors who were grateful to her for sharing her story and seeing and hearing the difference that their life-saving donations can make.
"This Christmas, we hope to see as many people as possible come forward to help fill appointments and save lives both over the critical Christmas period and into the New Year.
"Right now, we still have appointments which still need to be filled across both our blood and plasma donor centres located on New Street over coming weeks, and I urge anyone who is able, to come forward and start saving lives."
This year marked a significant milestone for the UK’s plasma for medicines programme. In March 2025, NHS patients started receiving lifesaving medicines made from plasma donated by blood and plasma donors in England for the first time in 25 years.
This is a major step towards reducing reliance on imported plasma and securing a reliable domestic supply for the future. Within the first six months alone, more than 2,200 people in the UK benefited from immunoglobulin made from UK-donated plasma.
Local donor Benedict Reeves, who met Margaret during her visit, reflected on how meaningful the experience was and said: "Before meeting Margaret, I knew donating plasma was important, but hearing her story and how plasma-derived medicines help patients is truly inspiring. I can now imagine more clearly the impact my donation can make on someone’s life and encourages me to keep on donating. It's humbling to know that something so simple can make such a difference in someone's life."
Dr Susan Walsh, CEO of Immunodeficiency UK, echoed Margaret's plea for donations, saying: "Plasma-derived medicines are a crucial lifeline for many patients with immune deficiencies, burns, liver disease, and more. Margaret’s story shows just how crucial these treatments are to keeping people well and living a full life. We need more donors to come forward to ensure that the supply meets the growing demand."
How you can help
Every blood and plasma donor makes a vital contribution to making these life-saving medicines. To find out more, book an appointment or register as either a blood or plasma donor, visit our website, download the NHS Give Blood app or call 0300 123 23 23.