Most people know about donating whole blood, and many have donated blood in the past. But did you know that there are other kinds of blood donations?
Plasma, the liquid component of blood, can also be donated. It is in very high demand—about 6.500 plasma units are needed daily in the U.S. alone. This amounts to over 2 million units each year.
Apart from hospital blood blanks, you can donate plasma at independent plasma donation
centers. These facilities collect plasma from donors so that it can be processed and developed into life-saving therapies.
If you’re considering donating plasma, you likely have many questions. In this blog, we go over everything you need to know about donating plasma so you can make an informed decision and donate with confidence.
What Is Plasma?
Whole blood is composed of red and white blood cells as well as platelets suspended in a straw-colored liquid called plasma. Plasma makes up over 50% of whole blood. It is about 92% water and contains proteins, electrolytes, clotting factors, enzymes and antibodies.
Plasma performs essential functions in the body. These include the following:
- Transporting blood cells and platelets throughout the body
- Clotting blood to stop bleeding when we are injured
- Carrying proteins, hormones and nutrients to different parts of the body
- Maintaining blood pressure and volume
- Transporting waste from cells to the liver and kidneys to be excreted
- Taking electrolytes to our muscles
- Fighting off infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other foreign bodies
- Maintaining pH balance in the body
How Your Plasma Donation Helps Save Lives
When you donate plasma, pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals can use it in several ways to provide life-saving treatments.
In the emergency room, plasma is given to patients suffering from shock, trauma and severe burns, as well as individuals with liver damage and weakened immune systems.
Plasma helps these patients by restoring lost blood volume, stopping bleeding and providing immune support.
Plasma is also used to create preventative treatments. Some examples are:
- Human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) is administered to boost the immune system and protect against rabies.
- Tetanus immune globulin (TIG) is administered to neutralize the tetanus toxin and prevent it from damaging the nervous system.
- Rh immune globulin (RhIg) is given to pregnant individuals to prevent their babies from hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
In the pharmaceutical space, donated plasma is used to create life-saving therapies for people with rare or genetic conditions such as:
- Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs)
- Autoimmune disorders like Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Myasthenia Gravis
- Bleeding and clotting disorders such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Antithrombin III deficiency
- Hereditary angioedema
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Kawasaki disease
Plasma-derived therapies are a lifeline for patients with these conditions. How they work depends on the type of therapy and the condition being treated.
For instance, in hemophilia patients, plasma-derived therapies replace crucial clotting factors so that blood can clot properly, preventing severe bleeding.
Meanwhile, in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome or Myasthenia Gravis, the plasma-derived treatments suppress the harmful immune response that characterizes these conditions.
How to Donate Plasma
While the donation process might vary among hospitals and donation centers, they generally include the following steps:
1. Check-in: When you arrive, you will need to check in with the staff at the front desk. You will be asked to fill out paperwork and show the required documents, such as a valid I.D. and proof of address. At ABO Plasma, we need the following:
- A valid government-issued I.D.
- Your social security card or valid proof of your social security number
- For non-U.S. residents, a U.S. visa or government I.D.
- For Mexico residents, a valid border crossing card (BCC)
- Proof of local residence, such as a utility bill from the last 30 days
2. Screening: You will undergo a brief screening and physical to confirm that you are healthy and eligible to donate. During this part, a medical professional will ask about your medical history.
3. Donation: Once you’ve been determined qualified to donate plasma, the donation can proceed. The donation is made through a process called plasmapheresis, which separates plasma from other blood components. The staff will be with you to monitor the process and ensure you are comfortable.
4. Recovery: When the plasma donation process is complete, you must rest for about 15 minutes or until you feel well enough to go home. During this time, in the unlikely event you feel dizzy or unwell, you can alert the staff so they can assist.
What to Know About Donating Plasma: Donor Qualifications
You must meet certain criteria to be eligible to donate plasma. While the criteria may vary depending on the donation center, these are the general requirements:
- Age
You must be at least 18 years of age (some states allow donors as young as 16 years) - Weight
You must weigh at least 110 lbs (50 kgs). - Health
You must be in good health and test negative for bloodborne diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. - Tattoos and Piercings
You must not have had a new tattoo or piercing in the last four months before your donation.
Help Save Lives—Donate Plasma Today
Donating plasma is a simple act that makes an incredible impact on patients needing life-saving treatments. Make a difference, and donate plasma at ABO Plasma.
Our facility in Otay Mesa allows for the safe and sterile collection of plasma used to create plasma-derived therapies.
We aim to provide donors a positive experience, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the process. In our efforts to, thank donors for their contribution, we provide financial compensation.
First time donors can book an appointment, and donate today!