You've probably heard about convalescent plasma as an option to treat patients with COVID-19. But did you know that patients with other rare, chronic, and life-threatening conditions also need regular therapies derived from this golden-colored blood component? Or that the only source of these treatments — and the brighter, healthier lives they bring — is people like you? Donate plasma and encourage others to join you
Find a plasma center near you.
Why is the need so great?
It takes many donations to treat one patient.
The proteins in our plasma provide the primary ingredient for many important biologic medicines. But each donation only contains a tiny amount of what is required to create a single treatment for a patient. That's why so many plasma donors are needed, and why they need to donate so often.
More than 1200 plasma donations are needed to treat a single 150lb patient with hemophilia A for 1 year.
More than 130 plasma donations are needed to treat a single 150 lb patient with a primary immunodeficiency disease for 1 year.
More than 900 plasma donations are needed to treat a single 150 lb patient with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency for 1 year.
Preparing a plasma-derived therapy can take 7-12 months between day of donation and final product release.
What can you do?
Help to ensure there’s enough plasma for the patients who need it.
Plasma donation is an easy way to do something wonderful for a patient in need. Yet very few people who are eligible to donate plasma do so. That's why we need you to join the cause, and help us to create an ever-expanding golden circle of plasma donors.
1. If you’re eligible, be a plasma donor
By giving a little of your time, you'll ensure someone else can experience a lot more of life's golden moments. Learn more about donor eligibility.
2. Talk to your friends and family
Encourage them to donate plasma together — turning donation time into bonding time. What's more precious than that? Start a conversation about donation.
Get the basics on plasma donation.
Unlike regular blood donation which can take place at a local drive, all plasma donation for use in therapies happens at professional plasma centers on automated devices like our Aurora and Aurora Xi plasmapheresis systems. Eligible plasma donors can give as often as twice per week. Plasma donors may also be eligible to receive compensation for their time.
Download donation info sheet
Plasma Facts
Human blood is 55% plasma, 44% red blood cells, and 1% white blood cells and platelets.
Plasma is 92% water, 7% proteins, and 1% other solutions.
Plasmapheresis devices withdraw blood, separate out the plasma for collection, and return the remaining cells back into the bloodstream.
Nearly 500 different proteins have been found in plasma. About 150 are used for clinical purposes.