Thinking of donating? Watch our video to understand how it works and why it’s so important – especially now.
By Debra Moffitt 28 Apr 2020
StoryTopics
Rare Disease Coronavirus
Plasma donations directly help people living with rare and serious diseases because plasma – a component in the blood – can be turned into specialized medicines.
CSL Behring develops and manufactures these medicines with help from CSL Plasma, which has more than 270 locations in the United States and other countries around the world.
Find a CSL Plasma collection center.
CSL Behring is also member of the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance, which will use donated plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to develop an unbranded hyperimmune immunoglobulin with the potential to treat patients who have serious complications from the novel coronavirus.
If you have recovered from COVID-19, visit the alliance website to learn more about to how to donate your plasma.
Plasma is the often forgotten part of blood. White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are important to body function. But plasma also plays a key role. This fluid carries the blood components throughout the body.
Facts about plasma
Plasma is the largest part of your blood. It, makes up more than half (about 55%) of its overall content. When separated from the rest of the blood, plasma is a light yellow liquid. Plasma carries water, salts and enzymes.
The main role of plasma is to take nutrients, hormones, and proteins to the parts of the body that need it. Cells also put their waste products into the plasma. The plasma then helps remove this waste from the body. Blood plasma also carries all parts of the blood through your circulatory system.
How does plasma keep you healthy?
Plasma is a critical part of the treatment for many serious health problems. This is why there are blood drives asking people to donate blood plasma.
Along with water, salt, and enzymes, plasma also contains important components. These include antibodies, clotting factors, and the proteins albumin and fibrinogen. When you donate blood, healthcare providers can separate these vital parts from your plasma. These parts can then be concentrated into various products. These products are then used as treatments that can help save the lives of people suffering from burns, shock, trauma, and other medical emergencies.
The proteins and antibodies in plasma are also used in therapies for rare chronic conditions. These include autoimmune disorders and hemophilia. People with these conditions can live long and productive lives because of the treatments. In fact, some health organizations call plasma "the gift of life."
Donating plasma
If you want to donate plasma to help others in need, you will go through a screening process. This is to make sure your blood is healthy and safe. If you qualify as a plasma donor, you'll spend about an hour and a half at a clinic on every follow-up visit.
During the actual blood donation process, your blood is drawn through a needle placed in a vein in one arm. A special machine separates the plasma and often the platelets from your blood sample. This process is called plasmapheresis. The remaining red blood cells and other blood components are then returned to your body, along with a little saline (salt) solution.
People with the blood type AB are in the greatest demand for plasma donation. They make up just 2 in 50 people, their plasma is universal. This means their plasma can be used by anyone.
At noncommercial donation sites, people can donate plasma every 28 days, up to 13 times a year. To learn more about donating blood, visit the American Red Cross.
Donating plasma is like donating whole blood, but the collection process is different. Thanks to a technique called “apheresis”, blood passes through a device that collects only the plasma and returns the other blood components to the donor. This method, which is very safe for the donor, allows twice as much plasma to be collected as would be possible from a whole blood donation. And since plasma regenerates quickly, a donor can give plasma every six days!
Learn more about the plasma journey.
To learn more
Donating plasma is an important, voluntary act that can help save lives. Like donated blood, your plasma is used in trauma situations in hospitals to help those in need. Plasma helps to stop bleeding during emergency situations.
If you’re thinking about donating plasma, here’s what you need to know.
Is Donating Plasma Safe?
Donating plasma is similar to donating blood. As long as you donate in a certified center, donating plasma is completely safe. If you’re considering donating plasma, the first thing you should do is look for a center that is certified by the International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP). These centers are sterile and staffed by highly-trained professionals. All of the equipment that’s used in the plasma collection process is sterilized and cleaned after use. Any equipment that comes into contact with you as a donor is only used one time to ensure cleanliness and prevent the possibility of transmitting any kind of bloodborne pathogens.
Does donating plasma hurt?
Donating plasma shouldn’t hurt. Donating plasma should feel the same as a regular blood donation. You might feel a stinging sensation when the needle is inserted, but after that, the staff will do its best to make sure that you’re comfortable throughout the donation process.
Am I Qualified to Donate Plasma?
There are different requirements for the various types of blood donations. These requirements are put in place to guarantee your safety and health. In order to donate plasma, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be in good overall health
- Weigh 110 pounds or more (50 kilograms)
- Pass a medical screening
- Test negative for viruses that can be passed through blood, like HIV and hepatitis
- Complete a medical history screening
Some states allow teens ages 16 or older to donate with the permission of a parent.
The ideal blood types for plasma donation are AB positive and AB negative. You can donate plasma every 28 days, no more than 13 times in a year.
There are those in high-risk groups who should not donate blood or plasma. They include people who have:
- Injected drugs or steroids not prescribed by a doctor within the last three months
- Tested positive for HIV
- Had close contact in the last 12 months with someone who had viral hepatitis
- A congenital blood clotting condition
- Babesiosis, a disease from ticks, or Chagas disease (a parasitic infection)
On the day of your plasma donation appointment, make sure that you get some rest and have a healthy breakfast. You should drink lots of fluids, but avoid coffee, tea, and alcohol, as these drinks actually dehydrate you. Opt for water or juice instead. You should not eat anything oily or greasy before donating plasma since this can affect the quality of your plasma. It’s normal to feel a little nervous about donating plasma if you’ve never done it before. Here’s what to expect: Getting started. Before you donate plasma, you need to fill out a medical history form. This form may ask you about some behaviors that carry a higher risk of bloodborne viruses. Next, a staff member will give you a medical screening. This will check your pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature. A staff member will give you a finger-prick test that checks the levels of protein and hemoglobin in your blood. This is done each time that you donate plasma. How long does it take to donate plasma? In total, you can plan to spend about 90 minutes at your plasma donation appointment. This includes registration, screening, and donation. The donation itself takes about 25 minutes. After you’ve finished the screening process, you’ll sit back in a reclining chair, and a pressure cuff or tourniquet will be put around your arm to help find your veins. The pressure also helps to fill up the donation bag faster. A trained staff member will then place the needle into your arm using clean, sterile equipment. During this time you can relax, listen to music, or watch videos to pass the time. Once you’ve finished the donation process, you should have a snack and drink some fluids. This is often provided to you at the donation center. You should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day to let yourself recover.How Do I Prepare to Donate Plasma?
How Do I Donate Plasma?
Is donating plasma a painful process?
How long does plasma take the first time?
How do I prepare to donate plasma?
What do they put in your body after donating plasma?