Why donate?
Your blood is made up of three main components, each with its own important job.
- Red cells carry oxygen to your organs and help remove carbon dioxide
- Platelets help your blood clot when you have a cut or injury
- Plasma acts like a transport system, carrying these cells along with proteins, antibodies, nutrients, hormones and clotting factors
Plasma does more than just move things around. It contains key elements that doctors and researchers use to develop treatments for people with serious and ongoing health conditions.
How donated plasma is used
Plasma is incredibly versatile and is used to support people in many different situations. Here are just a few of the ways it helps:
- Treating immune disorders
The antibodies in plasma can be used to create medicines like immunoglobulin, which can be a lifeline for people living with autoimmune conditions - Supporting people with chronic conditions
Clotting factors found in plasma are used to develop treatments for conditions like haemophilia and other bleeding disorders - Helping in emergencies and trauma care
Plasma can be used to treat severe burns, internal bleeding and complications during surgery - Protecting unborn babies
In some pregnancies, a mother’s immune system can attack her baby’s red blood cells. A medication made from plasma, known as anti-D, can help prevent this
What’s the difference between plasma and whole blood donation?
Donating plasma is a little different from giving whole blood, but still straightforward.
A single needle is used to collect your blood, which is then processed through a machine that separates out the plasma. The rest of your blood, including your red cells, is returned to you during the donation.
Because your body replaces plasma relatively quickly, you can donate it more often than whole blood, and in larger volumes.
Who can donate plasma?
To donate plasma, you generally need to:
- Be between 18 and 75 years of age
- Meet certain health and lifestyle requirements
These checks are there to keep both donors and recipients safe.
The donation experience
A plasma donation itself takes around 45 minutes, but it’s best to allow about 1.5 hours for your full appointment. This includes registration, a quick health check and some time to relax afterwards.
Many donation centres offer a comfortable setting, with things like TVs to help pass the time while you donate.
Why give plasma instead of blood?
Whole blood donations do contain some plasma, but donating plasma on its own allows a larger amount to be collected in one session. That means more of this valuable component can go towards helping people who rely on it.
Getting started
If you’re thinking about donating, the first step is to get in touch with your local donation centre to check your eligibility and book an appointment.
Plasma can be frozen and stored for extended periods, and is also used to produce important medicines, so there’s an ongoing need for donations throughout the year.
It’s a simple way to give something that can’t be manufactured yet but is essential for so many treatments.
