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What is plasma?
Plasma is a straw-colored liquid that carries the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Plasma is made up of water (about 90%), proteins and clotting factors (8%), and small amounts of salts, glucose (blood sugar) and lipids (fats).
Plasma makes up approximately 55% of the volume of blood.
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Who can give plasma?
Anyone in good health, 18 or older, who weighs at least 110 lbs, has valid identification and a permanent address can donate plasma.
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Are donors screened and tested?
Donors are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have a medical screening prior to donating plasma. In addition, a medical history will be obtained. Tests, including a urinalysis, will be given for syphilis, hepatitis, HIV (the AIDS virus), plasma protein and hematocrit levels. Drug screening is also mandatory.
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How often can I donate plasma?
You can donate plasma up to two times every seven days because the process returns the red blood cells to you and takes only your plasma. It only takes 24-48 hours for your body to replenish the plasma proteins and fluid that have been removed.
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Is it safe to donate plasma?
Donating plasma is very safe. The supplies used in collecting the plasma are sterile and are used only once. This helps to make sure that everything that comes in contact with your blood is safe. The machine and supplies all meet extremely strict federal rules. The process itself is also conducted according to strict federal rules. The professional staff at the plasma center is vigorously trained and follows these rules. In addition, the plasma is screened, tested and purified to make sure only the highest-quality plasma products are produced.
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Is the plasma collection center regulated and licensed?
Plasma collection centers must be licensed by the FDA and must comply with all Federal, as well as local, business regulations. The licensing process is rigorous and is designed to ensure the safety of the donors and the quality and safety of the plasma collected.
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How will you collect my plasma?
We collect your plasma using a process called Plasmapheresis. This is a special process that separates the plasma from the blood and collects it in a bag or bottle. The uncollected parts of the blood, including the red blood cells and white blood cells, are returned to the donor. This allows the donor to donate up to two times a week because they do not have to replenish the parts of the blood that are returned to them. The collection procedure itself takes 30-60 minutes. We use a sophisticated high-tech machine that safely and quickly collects the plasma and returns the other parts of the blood to you. A needle is placed in the vein of the donor's arm and blood is collected using sterile equipment. The equipment is disposable and is used only once. This eliminates the possibility of viral infection-including the transmission of AIDs.
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Why are we collecting plasma?
The proteins and clotting factors contained in the plasma can be used to make medicines that help save lives everyday. Once the plasma is collected, it is sent to a factory where it is processed to separate (fractionate) into its components. The components are made into these medicines.
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How do the products produced from plasma help save lives?
Healthy individuals are able to fight off infection and stop themselves from bleeding if they get cut; however, some less fortunate individuals are missing key substances in their blood to perform these functions. Luckily, there are medicines that can be given to these individuals that do these jobs for them. Without these drugs, these patients would not be able to live. Some of the drugs are:
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»Immunoglobulin: Immunoglobulins provide a defense against infection. They are very useful in patients who have impaired immune system.
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»Clotting Factors: Clotting factors save people, such as hemophiliacs, whose blood is not able to clot naturally on its own. The clotting factors help to prevent uncontrolled bleeding in some people and reduce the chance of stroke in others.
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»Plasma Volume Expanders: Plasma volume expanders help people who have lost a lot of blood either from an injury or during surgery.
New plasma products being discovered and investigated will help many people fight various illnesses and conditions. It all starts with your donation.
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