Katie Garraway gave Good Morning Britain viewers an update on her husband Derek Draper’s health condition on Wednesday.
The 53-year-old television presenter opened up on how she considered donating her blood plasma to help her husband Derek Draper battle coronavirus during yesterday’s edition of the ITV breakfast show.
A new clinical trial is underway to see if how effective it would be to treat Covid-19 patients with the blood plasma from people who have already recovered from the virus.
It turns out Kate had already thought about doing this back in April after her hubby was admitted to hospital and induced into a coma to help fight off the disease.
After contracting coronavirus, plasma contains antibodies that are used to help fight infection, which could be crucial in the fight against the pandemic.
The process to extract the plasma is called apheresis, and takes around 45 minutes according to the NHS website.
Speaking on Wednesday’s show, Kate explained: “The blood plasma treatment is too late to help Derek but the idea that we can spread things that are working on this show is wonderful.
“For me doing positive at that point and now is wonderful and something we can all do, those of us who have had the virus, to feel like we’re helping.”
“I am seeing Derek today and I will tell him about it but actually I know, I got a little ticking off from the team who have been helping him, because I haven’t given them a mention.
Kate and Adil both wished Derek a “good morning”
“So good morning to you, thank you for everything you’re doing and good morning to Derek as well
“We don’t know how much he can see or hear but we know the programme is on.”
Kate’s co-star Adil, 46, added: “Morning mate.”
During Tuesday’s show, Kate said she felt “emotional” that more and more people are coming forward to donate life-saving blood plasma to help coronavirus patients.
Derek was rushed to hospital by coronavirus back in March and still remains in intensive care (Image: Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
The former I’m A Celeb star was told by Professor Mike Murphy that, since her original plea last week, three times the number of people have signed up to try and help out.
She said on GMB yesterday: “I feel quite emotional about this and the idea that talking about this is making people want to come forward and save lives.”
Katie and Adil were joined by virtual guests Professor Mike Murphy, comedian Hal Cruttenden who has donated plasma, and Ann Kitchen, who described the donations as “liquid gold” after they helped her feel better.
Kate said: “Last week it was something that came to light as a useful tool, I was asking if I could back in April for Derek.”
Kate told GMB viewers that she is hoping to see her husband this afternoon (Image: Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
The mum-of-two went on: “Then it was pre the first trials for Covid so I wasn’t allowed to, because they didn’t know how safe it was for Derek or anybody else involved.”
A spokesperson from NHS Blood and Transplant applauded Kate and the show after the number of donations dramatically increased.
They said: “The number of people who have recovered from coronavirus offering to donate plasma was 293% the normal last Monday after Kate spoke about her own desire to donate, following her husband’s illness.
“We’re really grateful to Kate and Good Morning Britain for covering donation again today because we urgently people to donate now, to help during any second wave.
“If you’ve had coronavirus, you could saves lives by donating plasma. You could give the NHS the first treatment which actually attacks the virus. Register to donate at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
