International Plasma Awareness Week is a time to amplify the importance of plasma donations for the Primary Immunodeficiency community and recognize the donors who make a difference. Thank you to everyone who donates! Your donations provide life-saving treatments for people living with Primary Immunodeficiency.
This year, we've put together a set of resources to help you understand and share how plasma donation works and why it matters so much to the Primary Immunodeficiency community.
What Is Plasma?
Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. It makes up more than half of your blood volume and carries proteins, nutrients, hormones, and antibodies throughout your body.
Plasma is essential for the creation of life-saving medicines. Plasma cannot be made in a lab. There is no synthetic version. Every plasma-derived treatment starts with a person who chooses to donate.
Why Does Plasma Donation Matter for Primary Immunodeficiency?
Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) is a group of more than 550 genetic disorders of the immune system. For many people living with Primary Immunodeficiency, the body can't produce the antibodies it needs to fight infection.
Immunoglobulin replacement therapy supplies those antibodies. It's made from donated human plasma, and for many people living with Primary Immunodeficiency it's the treatment that allows them to go to school, work, and stay well.
It takes about 130 plasma donations a year to support one person's Primary Immunodeficiency treatment.
Plasma Donation Resources
Whether you’ve never donated plasma before or you donate every week, learn more about the donation process and why it matters:
How To Donate Plasma (And Save Lives)
What Happens To Your Plasma When You Donate
Plasma Donation Myths vs. Facts
Ready To Share with Your Community?
Our Plasma Donation Awareness Social Toolkit has ready-to-post graphics and captions for Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. This toolkit is for patients, families, advocates, organizations, donation centers, and healthcare providers to encourage plasma donations.