Every day, thousands of people rely on the generosity of plasma donors to treat their medical conditions and improve their quality of life. If you’re considering joining the ranks of these life-saving individuals, it’s helpful to know the facts about blood plasma and the donation process.
In this blog, we list 10 key facts about blood plasma, a yellowish fluid naturally produced by the body that can be used to save lives.
1. Plasma Is Made Up of Many Components
Plasma is composed of mostly water and some solids. It contains the following:
- Proteins – Around 7% of plasma contains various proteins, including albumin, globulins and fibrinogen. Albumin helps maintain blood volume while immunoglobulins, a type of globulin, fight infections caused by viruses, bacteria and foreign objects. Globulins also transport proteins and clotting factors. Meanwhile, fibrinogen also aids in blood clotting, helping control bleeding.
- Electrolytes – These dissolved salts help regulate various bodily functions, such as muscle activity, blood pressure and fluid balance. Examples of electrolytes include calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium chloride.
- Other Solutes – Tiny amounts of other substances are also present in plasma. Some examples are amino acids, fatty acids and waste products that are transported throughout the body to organs like the liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin for excretion.
2. Plasma Has Many Functions in the Body
Blood plasma plays several essential roles in the human body, such as transporting nutrients, hormones and clotting factors. It also plays a vital role in maintaining blood pressure and volume, and it aids in maintaining body temperature and supporting the immune system.
3. Plasma Is Not the Same As Whole Blood Donation
Contrary to common misconception, donating plasma is different from donating whole blood. Whole blood donations involve donating all blood components (red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets). On the other hand, plasma donations require specialized equipment that separates your blood and extracts only the needed plasma.
4. In Some Cases, Plasma-Derived Proteins Have No Substitute
Plasma-derived proteins play a crucial role in treating various medical conditions. For instance, immunoglobulins replace missing or deficient proteins crucial in fighting infections, while plasma-derived clotting factors manage bleeding disorders like hemophilia by replacing deficient clotting proteins.
Since plasma and plasma-derived proteins cannot be manufactured in a laboratory setting, medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies rely on people’s plasma donations to manufacture the necessary treatment for these and other conditions.
5. Plasma Donations Only Take a Short Time
Plasma donation is a short procedure. It typically takes 45 minutes to two hours, including the time spent screening donors, filling out medical history forms and confirming their eligibility to donate.
6. You Can Donate Plasma As Often As Twice a Week
While you can donate whole blood every eight weeks, plasma donors can give as often as twice a week. However, there should be at least 48 hours between two donations, and you should not exceed 24 donations per year.
Remember that frequency rules sometimes vary across donation centers, so be sure to contact your preferred donation center for more information.
7. Plasma-derived Therapies Treat Rare Diseases
Donated plasma produces life-saving therapies for people with rare, genetic and chronic medical conditions.
Some examples are primary immunodeficiency disorders, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Kawasaki disease and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
8. Plasma Is Used to Treat Patients in Emergency Settings
Blood plasma is vital in treating burn victims, shock and trauma cases, as well as patients undergoing extensive surgeries. The clotting factors in plasma play a significant role in preventing excessive blood loss and aiding in healing.
9. Plasma Is Essential in Medical Research
Plasma is used for life-saving therapies and in research and development. Medical researchers utilize plasma for studying and advancing treatments and therapies for diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other debilitating conditions.
10. Some Private Plasma Centers Offer Compensation for Donations
While altruism and a desire to give back might be the primary motivator for many donors, some plasma donation centers offer monetary incentives. Other centers may provide gift cards or other rewards for each donation to encourage regular donations.
Help Save Lives By Donating Plasma
Donating blood plasma is a simple yet powerful act of kindness that can save countless lives. Now that you’re armed with essential facts about blood plasma donation, you can confidently consider becoming a regular plasma donor and significantly impact the community and the world.
When you’ve decided to donate, book an appointment at ABO Plasma. We are a trusted plasma collector with locations throughout the country. Our facility is safe, sterile and staffed by helpful and friendly people who will be more than happy to guide you through the process of making a plasma donation.
Book an appointment online, or find an ABO Plasma location near you to make a walk-in visit.