'I went from healthy to virtually bedbound and unable to walk'

Aged 56, the Alcester dad suffered from the sudden onset of an autoimmune condition after noticing a numbness in October 2020. "I got in the shower one morning and my toes and thumbs went numb, on both sides at the same time," said the dad, now a coach and businessman.

Gary was diagnosed in early 2021 but despite treatment, including steroids and plasma exchanges, his condition continued to worsen until doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital decided to try immunoglobulin.

READ MORE:I gave plasma for the first time at Birmingham donor centre and something surprised me

He saw immediate improvements to his symptoms and now has regular infusions to maintain his health. Telling his story as Plasma Donation Week starts today, Monday, April 22, he said monthly donations had transformed his life.

Every four weeks, he has donations over two days at the QE to treat rare disorder chronic inflammatory demyelinating. It attacks his nervous system, causing progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms.

This week, the NHS will be urging more people in Birmingham, Twickenham and Reading to come forward to help donate plasma, transforming and saving lives. Gary's symptoms are treated with immunoglobulin, a medicine made from plasma. It contains healthy antibodies from plasma donors, which help stabilise his immune system and stop the damaging attacks on his nervous system.

Gary said: "I am really lucky. We found something that helped me, and I have been surrounded by people supporting me. I thought at one point the best outcome would have just been being able to stand up.

"It was like someone had flicked on a switch and my muscles had begun to work properly again. I had joint issues and muscle wastage because of the condition but I have been doing rehab and now have very few problems.

"Until you're a recipient, you don't appreciate the importance of donating. Plasma donation is invaluable, and I applaud the people who don't have a personal interest who just go and donate anyway."

This Plasma Donation Week, the NHS is celebrating the unique difference the regional community of 2,600 Birmingham plasma donors makes to around 17,000 people in England. Each one needs lifesaving medicines made from their donated plasma, which is often the only treatment.

Find out about how you can donate here.

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