Patient Voices

Ricardo’s story: how plasma donation allows me to live fully

Patient Voices

Ricardo’s story: how plasma donation allows me to live fully

March 13, 2025

Meet Ricardo, a software engineer from Portugal, a dedicated father, and a passionate problem solver. He thrives on challenges, whether it’s fixing gadgets or solving complex problems with technology. But there’s one challenge Ricardo never expected: living with X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia (XLA), a rare condition that severely affects his immune system.

A passion for life

Ricardo is someone who loves life to the fullest. He enjoys listening to music, cooking, traveling, and, most of all, spending time with his family. He is always eager to get involved in the things that bring him joy, whether it’s fixing broken items around the house or diving into his next tech project. But like many patients with Primary Immunodeficiency (PID), Ricardo’s life was not always so carefree.

Living with XLA

From a young age, Ricardo knew something was wrong. XLA means that his immune system doesn’t produce enough antibodies, making him extremely vulnerable to infections. For years, he lived with the constant threat of illness, facing the reality that his immune system couldn’t protect him like others could. His condition meant that even everyday activities carried risks that most people never think twice about.

 

But everything changed when Ricardo started his plasma-derived therapy. This treatment, made possible by plasma donations, provides the antibodies his body can’t produce on its own. It’s allowed him to live a more normal life, one where he can engage in his passions and responsibilities with less fear of infections and more confidence in his health.

 

The impact of plasma donation

For Ricardo, plasma donation is not just about helping individuals, it’s about giving people the power to live freely, just as he does:

Your donations allow us to lead normal lives, raise a family, work, and be active members of society. Some of us, with your help, believe we can change the world“.

 

If you donate plasma, know that you’re doing something incredibly powerful,” Ricardo continues. “Your donation is not just a gift: it’s a lifeline. You’re helping people like me live the lives we’ve always dreamed of“.

Meet Ricardo, a software engineer from Portugal, a dedicated father, and a passionate problem solver

The difference you can make by donating plasma is deeper than you might imagine. Donate plasma today and help change someone’s life for the better.