Every day, thousands of people rely on plasma-derived medicine to survive. Plasma supports patients with rare and chronic conditions, aids those recovering from severe burns or surgeries, and plays a crucial role in medical research for life-saving treatments.
But there’s a challenge – plasma can’t be artificially created in a lab. The only way to ensure a steady supply of plasma-based therapies is through generous donations from healthy individuals like you. By donating plasma, you can make a direct and meaningful impact, whether helping a child with an immune disorder, a patient battling a genetic condition, or someone recovering from a traumatic injury.
If you’re considering donating plasma, here are five compelling reasons to donate plasma and how it can make a difference.
You Can Save Lives With Your Plasma Donation
Your plasma carries vital proteins and antibodies that help the body fight infections and other severe health conditions. When you donate plasma, your donation is processed into life-sustaining medicine that can be the difference between life and death for many patients.
For example, individuals with primary immunodeficiency disorders rely on plasma-based medicine because their bodies cannot produce enough antibodies to fight infections. Plasma-derived therapies are their only treatment option.
It can take more than 100 plasma donations to treat just one patient with an immune disorder for a year. That’s why regular donations are so important. Each one plays a critical role in ensuring these life-saving treatments remain available.
Plasma Donation Is a Safe and Easy Process
Donating plasma is a safe, straightforward process that thousands of people participate in every day. The first visit typically takes about two hours and includes a brief physical exam and medical screening to confirm eligibility. Future visits are shorter and more streamlined.
During the donation, a small amount of blood is drawn, the plasma is separated, and the remaining components are returned to your body. This ensures minimal impact on your overall health and well-being.
It’s also worth noting that the body replenishes plasma naturally within 48 hours. With this, healthy individuals can donate plasma twice within seven days. The quick recovery process means you can safely make regular donations to help maintain a steady plasma supply, ensuring patients who rely on plasma-based treatments receive the care they need.
There’s an Urgent Need for Plasma Donors
The demand for plasma-based therapies has skyrocketed over the last 20 years as more rare diseases are identified and diagnosed. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, plasma donations significantly declined, leading to a worldwide shortage.
Since plasma-derived medicines take 7 to 12 months to produce, the full impact of this shortage is still unfolding. Patients who rely on plasma for life-saving treatments are in a vulnerable position, making it more critical than ever for new donors to step forward.
Every plasma donation helps bridge the gap between supply and demand, ensuring that those who need plasma-based medicine have access to it. If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in the world, this is one of the most powerful reasons to donate plasma today.
Plasma Can’t Be Manufactured
Science has come a long way, but one thing researchers haven’t been able to replicate in a lab is plasma. This means there’s no artificial substitute for the proteins, nutrients, and antibodies found in human plasma.
For individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1), a genetic disorder that affects lung and liver function, the only available treatment is plasma-based therapy. Plasma is also essential for treating hemophilia, a bleeding disorder where minor injuries can lead to life-threatening bleeding.
Because plasma donation is the only way to produce these life-saving medicines, every donation makes an impact. Your plasma could be the reason someone gets the treatment they desperately need.
Giving Back Feels Good — and Does Good
Plasma donation isn’t just about helping others. It’s also about the sense of fulfillment and purpose you gain in return. Knowing that your plasma could help save or improve someone’s life creates a powerful feeling of connection and community.
Many donors appreciate that giving plasma allows them to contribute to something larger than themselves. But that’s not all — one of the benefits of plasma donation is that donors also receive compensation as a token of appreciation for their valuable time and effort.
Unlike whole blood donation, which requires a longer waiting period, plasma donors can donate twice a week, maximizing their ability to make a difference. This is one of the many reasons to give plasma: it’s a simple yet impactful way to support others while receiving recognition for your contribution.
Turn Your Plasma Into Hope — Change Lives Today
With plasma shortages affecting patients worldwide, donors are more important than ever in ensuring life-saving treatments remain available. Your contribution has the power to provide critical support for those in need, offering hope and healing to individuals who depend on plasma-based medicine every day.
At ABO Plasma in West Valley City, we strive to make the donation experience seamless, secure, and fulfilling. Help us make a difference in countless lives. Schedule your appointment and become a plasma donor today.