Meet our founder
Marie-Claire Kofi
Founder and Chief Executive Officer · Honorary Fellow, University of Wolverhampton
Marie-Claire Kofi is a qualified diagnostic radiographer, patient advocate and person living with sickle cell disease. She founded Plasma of Hope to connect clinical understanding with compassionate, community-led support. Awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton in 2026, she works with patients, families, healthcare professionals and partners to champion health equity, education and meaningful patient involvement.
Read the University’s award story
Supporting Our Community
For over five years, Plasma of Hope has provided a vital lifeline in Walsall, offering essential support for those living with Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia.
Empowering Better Lives
We bridge the gap between medical treatment and community care, ensuring everyone with a chronic blood disorder has the support to thrive.
At our heart, we are a Walsall-based charity led by the community, for the community,
ensuring that no one faces the challenges of Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia alone.
We provide more than just information; we offer a compassionate and dedicated support
network. From emotional wellbeing and advocacy to practical guidance and everyday
resources, we help bridge the gap between medical care and daily living. By fostering a safe
and inclusive space built on shared experiences, we empower individuals and families across
Walsall to navigate the realities of Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia with dignity,
resilience, and hope.
Engagement
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Families Empowered
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Community Volunteers
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Annual Awareness Events
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Dr. Daramola Olusola
Chair of Trustees, Plasma of Hope
Dr. Olusola Daramola was appointed as Chair of Trustees of Plasma of Hope on April 2021. She
provides strategic leadership and governance oversight, supporting the organisation’s mission to
improve the lives of individuals and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia.
Dr. Daramola is a Consultant Histo/Cytopathologist at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS
Foundation Trust, with extensive expertise in diagnostic pathology and patient-centred healthcare.
Alongside her professional experience, she also lives with Sickle Cell Disease, giving her both clinical
and lived experience perspectives that strengthen her advocacy and leadership within the charity.
Her personal journey has deepened her passion for improving awareness, reducing stigma, and
advocating for better support and healthcare outcomes for individuals living with genetic blood
disorders. Through her role as Chair, she is committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of
people affected by Sickle Cell Disease remain central to the organisation’s work.
Dr. Daramola plays a key role in guiding the strategic direction of Plasma of Hope, strengthening
governance, supporting partnerships, and helping to deliver impactful community programmes
focused on education, wellbeing, advocacy, and empowerment. Her leadership continues to inspire
the organisation’s commitment to compassion, inclusion, and community impact.
Marie-Claire Kofi
Founder, Plasma of Hope
Marie-Claire Kofi is the Founder of Plasma of Hope, established in August 2020 with a vision to
improve awareness, advocacy, support, and wellbeing for individuals and families affected by Sickle
Cell Disease and Thalassaemia.
Marie-Claire is a Radiographer with experience within healthcare settings, bringing valuable clinical
knowledge and patient-centred insight to the organisation’s work. She also lives with Sickle Cell
Disease, giving her both professional and lived experience perspectives that continue to shape the
charity’s mission and impact within the community.
Her personal journey inspired her passion for advocacy and community support, particularly in
addressing the stigma, inequalities, and lack of awareness often experienced by individuals living
with genetic blood disorders. Through Plasma of Hope, she has worked to create safe and
empowering spaces where individuals and families can access support, education, and wellbeing
initiatives.
As Founder, Marie-Claire has led the development of a wide range of community programmes,
awareness campaigns, mental wellbeing initiatives, and engagement activities focused on improving
outcomes and strengthening support systems for affected communities.
Her leadership continues to drive the organisation’s commitment to compassion, inclusion,
empowerment, and community impact across the United Kingdom.
Joyce Ngassa
Trustee, Plasma of Hope
Joyce Ngassa was appointed as a Trustee of Plasma of Hope on January 2020. She brings valuable
healthcare knowledge, compassion, and community-focused experience to the organisation’s
leadership and governance.
Joyce is a Registered Adult Nurse working within Birmingham and Black Country NHS Foundation
Trust. Through her professional role, she has developed extensive experience in patient care,
wellbeing support, and working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
As a Trustee, Joyce supports the charity’s commitment to improving awareness, advocacy, and
support for individuals and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia. Her healthcare
background enables her to contribute important clinical insight and a strong understanding of the
challenges faced by individuals living with long-term health conditions.
She is passionate about promoting compassionate care, reducing health inequalities, and supporting
initiatives that improve community wellbeing, education, and access to support services. Joyce
continues to play an important role in helping Plasma of Hope deliver meaningful and community-
driven impact.
Albertine Kamba
Trustee, Plasma of Hope
Albertine Kamba was appointed as a Trustee of Plasma of Hope on August 2025. As someone living
with Sickle Cell Disease, she brings important lived experience, compassion, and a strong
commitment to advocacy and community support.
Through her personal experiences, Albertine understands the daily challenges faced by individuals
living with genetic blood disorders, including the physical, emotional, and social impact of Sickle Cell
Disease. Her perspective helps ensure that the organisation’s work remains patient-focused,
inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
As a Trustee, Albertine supports the charity’s efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve
understanding of Sickle Cell Disease within communities and wider society. She is passionate about
empowering individuals affected by the condition and promoting wellbeing, education, and access
to support services.
Her involvement within Plasma of Hope reflects the organisation’s commitment to valuing lived
experience and strengthening the voices of those directly affected by Sickle Cell Disease.
Seanastef Success Kwah
Trustee, Plasma of Hope
Seanastef Success Kwah was appointed as a Trustee of Plasma of Hope on February 2025. As an
individual living with Sickle Cell Disease, she brings valuable lived experience, insight, and passion to
the organisation’s work and mission.
Through her personal journey as a patient, Seanastef understands many of the physical, emotional,
and social challenges experienced by individuals and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Her
experiences strengthen the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of people living
with the condition remain at the centre of advocacy, awareness, and support initiatives.
As a Trustee, she contributes to community engagement, awareness raising, and the development of
initiatives that promote wellbeing, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals affected by genetic
blood disorders. She is passionate about helping to reduce stigma, improve understanding of Sickle
Cell Disease, and encourage supportive and compassionate communities.
Seanastef’s involvement within Plasma of Hope reflects the organisation’s dedication to patient
representation, lived experience leadership, and community-driven impact.