There are numerous ways to help people in need, especially those with medical ailments. Besides monetary donations, humans can provide different biological resources to support those with weaker physiology. For example, the most common method would be to donate essential organs. However, this can lead to drastic consequences for donors.
Instead of transplanting full organs, humans can also donate blood or parts of it. This is why plasma donation is similar yet different from the blood donation process. Donating this part of the blood is an excellent way to supplement another person’s need for greater blood volume while solving clotting issues. Since it has specific benefits, willing donors of plasma should know more about the process of plasma donation before committing to the act.
Plasma Donation Facts
Plasma makes up more than half of the blood’s content, containing critical proteins for blood clotting and stronger immunity. Through a plasma-only donation, a donor’s blood is separated from a machine to collect the plasma while the red blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor. Since plasma donation responds to a particular medical condition, it’s crucial to learn more about its processes.
Before you donate plasma, here are three things you need to know:
1. Importance of Plasma Donation
Receiving plasma donation is a good way to replenish a person’s blood volume and fresh electrolytes, blood-clotting proteins, and other necessary nutrients for cellular metabolism. It also regulates pH levels and blood pressure for people experiencing trauma, shock, severe liver disease, and several clotting-factor deficiencies.
2. Plasma Types
Plasma will correspond to your blood type, which can be a factor in finding suitable recipients. For compatibility issues, AB plasma donations are the most important since AB-type plasma can be administered to patients of different blood types. Additionally, people who have recently recovered from illnesses will have convalescent plasma. Donating this plasma type is an effective way to strengthen people facing similar diseases.
Before the development of the vaccine, plasma donors were encouraged among COVID-19 survivors. This is because their plasma content will have a strong set of antibodies that can fight the virus. Through plasma donation, people in critical condition with COVID-19 will have a better chance of fighting the disease. This application is just one of the many ways donating your healthy plasma can save another person’s life.
3. Plasma Donation Limitations
Donating plasma should be done only once every 28 days. The American Red Cross recommends people do it only 13 times a year. Similar to blood donations, it’s not advisable to perform another plasma donation right after undergoing one. This is because successive donations can negatively affect the plasma’s quality.
Since it’s a biological resource in the body, it’s important to regenerate its different components of protein, albumin, and other blood markers. Additionally, you must get your physician’s recommendation after blood tests to know if it’s safe to donate plasma. This precaution is to protect yourself and the potential receiver of your plasma too.
Conclusion
Plasma donation can save a person’s life, but it’s important to consider different variables before donating. If you donate plasma of poor quality, you’re compromising your own health while endangering others. For this reason, it’s important to reflect on your well-being before you can contribute to helping others.
Once you’re ready to do your part in helping the healthcare industry, it’s time to visit your nearest plasma donation center. If you’re looking for the nearest plasma donation center in the US, we can help. Become a donor by finding our facilities near you today.