Benefits of Plasma Donation

Introduction

• Plasma donation is crucial yet less understood compared to blood donation.
• Plasma is the pale-yellow portion of blood, comprising nearly 50% of it.
  • Contains water, proteins, and salts.
  • Maintains healthy blood pressure, volume, and pH balance.
  • Carries proteins needed for blood clotting and immune responses.
  • Transports electrolytes essential for muscle function and daily activities.

Uses of Plasma Donations

• Plasma donations serve more specific purposes than general blood donations.
• Common uses:
  • Severe trauma, burns, or shock.
  • Cancer patients (adults or children).
  • Liver or clotting factor disorders.
• Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to a year.
• Nearly 10,000 units needed daily in the U.S.
• Plasma transfusions can be lifesaving.

Specific Cases

• Trauma, Burns, Shock
  • Loss of blood volume and electrolytes.
  • Plasma transfusions restore blood pressure, volume, and electrolyte levels.
• Liver Disease and Clotting Disorders
  • Deficiency in blood clotting substances.
  • Plasma transfusions supplement clotting ability.
• Cancer Patients
  • Complications like disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
  • Fresh frozen plasma transfusions can be critical.

Plasma Donation Process

• Slightly differs from normal blood donation.
• Involves automated removal of plasma:
  • Blood removed from donor’s arm.
  • Plasma separated and collected; red blood cells and platelets returned with saline.
• Donors can give more plasma than in regular blood donation (enough for up to three patients).
• Safe and similar to general blood donation.

Ideal Plasma Donors

• Blood types AB+ and AB- are ideal for plasma donation.
  • AB is the universal plasma type.
  • Critical in trauma care due to lack of time for blood type testing.
• Only 4% of the population is type AB, creating a high demand.
• Type AB donors can donate plasma every 28 days; the process takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

AB Elite Donors

• Type AB donors are termed "AB Elite" at Red Cross.
• Encouraged to donate plasma to assist trauma patients.
• Donations can be scheduled online, by phone, or via the American Red Cross Blood Donor app.