Throughout the past year, you may have heard about plasma in terms of its potential use in treating COVID-19. However, for more than 80 years, plasma has been a lifeline for thousands of people who live with rare and chronic complex conditions. Plasma donations are critical in helping save lives because they are used to make life-sustaining medicine. Even with the global pandemic shedding light on the role of plasma in fighting disease, many people may not know how thousands around the country rely on plasma every day.
Here are five key reasons to consider donating plasma today.
1. Plasma is used to make life-saving medicine
Plasma carries out a variety of functions in the body, including helping the body fight disease. Plasma donations are processed into life-saving medicine for people with rare and chronic conditions including immunodeficiency disorders. Often, there are no alternative treatments for these conditions. Plasma donations are life-changing and provide an opportunity for patients around the country to live a happier and healthier life.
2. Plasma cannot be manufactured in a lab
Even with the scientific advances in the health care industry, medicine developed from plasma can only be made from plasma donated from healthy adults. Plasma cannot be manufactured in a lab or any other artificial environment. Because of this, plasma has become a scarce yet life-changing resource for people who rely on these plasma-based medicines.
3. The plasma donation process is safe and fast
Thousands of people donate plasma safely every day. Donating plasma is a low-risk procedure with minimal or no side effects. On a donor’s first visit to a plasma donation center, the whole process, including a physical examination, medical screening and the plasma donation, usually takes about two hours. Future visits take less time.
Because the body quickly replenishes the plasma removed during the donation process, healthy individuals may donate as often as twice in a seven-day period, with at least one day between donations. To learn more about the donation process visit www.biolifeplasma.com.
4. Many individuals are eligible to donate plasma
To donate plasma, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and pass all other required donor eligibility criteria to protect the donor’s health and safety of the plasma. Healthy individuals who are eligible to donate their plasma can do so, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
5. There is an urgent need for plasma donations
With plasma donations lower than usual through the pandemic and the demand for medicine developed from plasma growing worldwide, the need for plasma is more urgent than ever. Global demand for these therapies has increased over the past 20 years — and continues to grow due to more rare diseases being identified as well as more patients being diagnosed. Everyone has the power to make a difference through plasma donation and potentially help save lives.
How can you help?
The need for plasma is greater than ever and BioLife Plasma Services, part of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is welcoming plasma donors to help at centers around the country. In addition to potentially making a positive impact on someone’s life, plasma donors are compensated in recognition of the time, commitment and the effort required for their donation. Find a plasma donation center near you at www.biolifeplasma.com, or by downloading the BioLife App.
The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
