People may think blood and plasma donation are interchangeable, but these two things are different. Though 50 percent of blood is made up of plasma, they are not the same.
Plasma is a pale, yellow component of blood that contains protein, salt, and water. It has the critical role of ensuring blood pressure, blood volume, and pH balance is maintained in the body. Without enough plasma in the body, you will not have blood clotting abilities, and your immune system’s performance will be affected. Moreover, plasma has a lot of electrolytes, which helps the body function and sustain daily activities.
With these things in mind, it is essential to note that people who do not have enough plasma might need it donated to stay healthy. If you want to learn more about the value of plasma donation, keep reading.
What Are the Uses for Donated Plasma?
There is a chance that you will see plasma in a hospital as a part of a blood transfusion. In this case, the plasma is used to replace the amount of blood lost in the patient’s body.
The other time that you may see plasma in a hospital is in treating cancer patients. It is said that plasma can cure some types of cancer when transfused in the patient’s body. These cancer types may include leukemia and some types of lymphoma. If a person who has been diagnosed with cancer receives a good amount of plasma, they may have a higher chance of surviving.
Plasma transfusions are also used in a medical procedure called apheresis. This procedure is used regularly to help people who have anemia and help people recover from surgeries. The process works by extracting plasma from the person’s body, and then the person’s blood cells will be returned to them.
Apheresis is a complex and time-consuming process. The entire procedure can last anywhere from three to five hours. However, it is worth it because it can help people feel better and potentially have a longer life.
Who Can Be Helped by Plasma Donation?
Plasma donation may be able to help:
- People who are undergoing surgery
- People who have had an injury and need proper blood clotting
- People who have anemia
- People who have Lyme disease
- People with hemophilia
- People who have immune deficiency diseases
- People who have been exposed to viral infections such as HIV
- People who have cancer
- People who are undergoing heavy blood loss
- People with blood disorders
- People who have been exposed to some type of poison
Plasma donation can help so many people who are ill. If you are interested in donating plasma, you should investigate some of the ways that people can donate.
What Happens During the Plasma Donation Process?
To start the process, you will need to make an appointment with the plasma center. This can be done directly through the facility and the organizations that you will be donating to.
Once you arrive, you will need to fill out some paperwork and go through a physical exam to ensure that you are healthy enough to donate plasma. Once you have gone through the precautions, you will be able to donate.
You may be asked to sit in a reclining chair for about 10 to 15 minutes, and a small needle will be inserted into your vein. After the needle has been placed, a machine will remove the plasma from your body, so it can be replaced with a saline solution. The entire process only takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Plasma donations are very important because they can help so many people. Understanding how it works is only the first step in knowing how important it is to donate plasma. If you want to donate plasma, you should look into the nearest plasma donation center and find out how to get started with their donation process.
If you want to contribute to saving lives, you should sign up through thplasma and become a donor today. At thplasma, you can donate plasma for cash in New Jersey and be a part of a community that helps each other. Find a center near you to start or contact us for your questions.