Danielle Morley of Radcliffe, UK, has been an advocate for plasma donation ever since being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) during her first pregnancy. Danielle credits generous plasma donations for enabling her to give birth to her children, Ilan, Ethan, and Mattan.

About ITP

Meryn Morgan, CEO of the ITP Support Association, told Bolton News that ITP affects about five thousand people in the United Kingdom each year.

The CEO explained that the standard treatment is steroids, which are not always successful. A second option was a surgical procedure to remove the spleen called a splenectomy.

He expresses gratitude to donors on behalf of the patients with autoimmune disorders who depend on immunoglobulin for survival.

An ITP Attack

Danielle’s immune system went on the attack against her platelets, which are blood clotting cells. If bleeding gets out of control, it can be fatal. Although doctors found that ITP may occur after a vaccination or a virus, the actual cause is not known.

Symptoms include blood rashes, nosebleeds, bruising, mouth blisters, bleeding gums, heavy periods, and fatigue.

About the Diagnosis and Treatment

Danielle recalls that when she was diagnosed, she was told that she was at risk of her platelet levels continuing to fall, and that could cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

Plasma is defined as the liquid portion of blood (55%) consisting of about 92% water. The remaining portion consists of white and red blood cells and platelets suspended in plasma.

Danielle received over fifty intravenous infusions of a medicine called immunoglobulin that was developed from donated plasma. Danielle tolerated the infusions very well and credits them for boosting her platelet levels.

She is an ardent supporter of the ITP Association and is so grateful for the plasma donations that allowed her to have her wonderful healthy children. She says that the immunoglobulin infusions saved her life.

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