The journey of plasma starts with your donation. The donation process itself is relatively simple and very similar to donating blood. After completing the necessary paperwork and undergoing a health screening to confirm your eligibility to donate, you will be seated in a reclined chair for the actual donation. During this process, your blood is drawn, and the plasma is separated from the other components using a specific machine. At the end of the procedure, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets will be returned to you via the machine. The volume of fluid lost during donation is replenished through natural recovery mechanisms, the infusion of saline solution, and fluid intake.

Immediately after your donation, the collected plasma undergoes a series of crucial steps to prepare it for further treatments. First and foremost, it is carefully examined and tested to ensure its safety and quality. Any plasma that doesn’t meet the high standards is discarded. Once approved, the plasma undergoes a process called “fractionation” that separates plasma into its individual components, such as antibodies, clotting factors, and albumin. Each of these components serves a specific purpose in medicine and is carefully extracted for further treatments. Once fractionated, the individual components of plasma are purified to remove any impurities or contaminants. This purification process is essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of the final products.

Have you ever wondered why donating plasma is so important? Here is why: