By Anita Brikman, President and CEO of Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association
October 11, 2024
Each year, millions of Americans help save lives by simply rolling up their sleeves. By donating plasma, individuals help save and improve the lives of patients and families who rely on plasma-derived medicines. Plasma — the straw-colored liquid portion of blood containing hundreds of lifesaving proteins and antibodies that support the body’s immune system, regulate blood clotting, protect organs, reduce inflammation, and neutralize harmful substances and infectious agents — serves as a starting material for lifesaving therapies used in treating rare diseases and in everyday medical settings.
International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) — observed this year from October 7-11 — is an important time to raise awareness of how everyday Americans can help the more than 125,000 individuals across the country who rely on plasma-derived medicines. It’s as simple as finding a donation center near you and making an appointment to donate plasma!
Plasma donors offer hope to those living with conditions like primary Immunodeficiency, Guillan Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, bleeding disorders, hereditary angioedema, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and other chronic conditions. Additionally, plasma donations help countless others who suffer from injury or illness, since plasma-derived medicines are used to treat burns, shock, trauma, serious infections, and other medical emergencies.
“Without my plasma protein therapy, I wouldn’t be able to have a life. I wouldn’t even be alive. One of my biggest fears is that somehow I would lose access to this medication.” - Terry, living with common variable immunodeficiency
As this year’s awareness week comes to a close, it’s important to recognize the invaluable contributions of plasma donors around the globe. We applaud their generosity and urge everyone to consider donating plasma. Through this simple act, you can have a profound impact on the lives of others. Plasma-derived therapies are unique among medications because they can only be made from plasma collected from human donors. Plasma cannot be manufactured in a lab, making the need for dedicated, healthy donors critical to the wellbeing of patients and their families.
Unlike common pharmaceutical and over-the-counter medications, plasma-derived medicines have no generic equivalents and are not interchangeable. Each plasma-derived medicine is unique, due to the pharmacological and manufacturing differences across different brands and to each patient’s unique response to the treatments. Clinical experts across immunology, neurology, hematology, and other medical fields emphasize the need for patients to have access to the specific therapies prescribed by their clinicians. A decline in plasma donations could put patients at risk of delayed access to the treatments they need.
“Given the variable nature of these diseases, individualized treatments depending on patient need and physician judgement are important.” -American Academy of Neurology
These unique therapies also require large quantities of source material (human plasma) to produce. It takes more than 1,200 plasma donations to create a one-year supply of treatment for a single hemophilia patient.
“If it weren’t for the people who donate plasma on a regular basis, I probably wouldn't be the same happy person, fulfilling myself in every aspect of my life.” -Iza, living with a primary immunodeficiency
The donation and subsequent manufacturing processes are highly regulated, with many safeguards in place to protect donors and patients. Donors are compensated for their time and effort since plasma donation takes longer than whole blood donation. This makes it extra critical to thank donors not just during IPAW, but throughout the year.
As we reflect on the contributions of plasma donors during IPAW, we are reminded of the power of a single donation. Each act of giving brings hope to those in need, helping to ensure that critical, lifesaving therapies remain available to those who depend on them.
Resources will be available year-round at www.plasmaweek.org. There, you can also learn about how to get started with donating and where to find a center near you. Do you have an IPAW reflection to share? Email media@pptaglobal.org.