Plasmapheresis Donation

Plasmapheresis FAQ

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• Why donate plasma?

  As one of the three essential components of whole blood—along with red blood cells and platelets—plasma acts as a carrier for blood cells, nutrients, enzymes, and hormones. Clotting factors found in plasma can be critical to recovery and survival for newborn babies and adults rgoing open heart surgery. A typical liver transplant patient can require 25 units of plasma, while 20 units or more may be needed to sustain the life of a severe burn victim. Across the U.S., approximately 3 million units of plasma are transfused every year. And since there is no substitute, only volunteer donors can save lives.

• What is plasmapheresis donation?

  Apheresis (AY-fur-EE-sis)—meaning to separate—allows you to give just one part of your blood and in greater quantities than through traditional methods. During a whole blood donation, for example, blood is drawn from your arm and collected as one unit. Only later is it separated into its three components: plasma, red blood cells, and platelets.

  When making a plasmapheresis donation, on the other hand, a special automated process is used: blood flows directly into a sterile single-use kit where plasma is separated while the other blood components—red blood cells and platelets—are returned to you. Unlike in whole blood donations, donors experience no fluid loss during this process.

• How long does the process take?

  A plasmapheresis donation appointment typically takes less than 90 minutes, with actual collection time of approximately 45 minutes.

• How often can I donate?

  You can make a plasmapheresis donation every 28 days. Two days later, you also can return to donate whole blood or platelets. After giving whole blood, you must wait 56 days to donate again.

• Are there special eligibility requirements?

  Everyone who meets Memorial Blood Centers’ general donor eligibility requirements (e.g., age, weight, health status) is encouraged to  consider donating plasma—especially donors with type AB and males with type A+. Your hemoglobin will be tested to ensure an acceptable measure of iron is present (at least 12.5 g/dL) prior to donating. Results from the standard mini-physical and confidential interview also will be used to determine eligibility.

• Who can safely donate plasma?

  Memorial Blood Centers takes special care to ensure blood safety for all donors and recipients. In addition, extra selection criteria for plasma donors help further protect plasma recipients from a rare but serious complication known as TRALI (Transfusion-Related Acute
  Lung Injury). Antibodies thought to cause TRALI are developed when a person is exposed to cells from another person, e.g., via transfusion or pregnancy. This can result in severe breathing problems and sometimes death.

  Plasma collected from ‘universal’ plasma donors (males and females with type AB blood) and male donors with type A+ minimizes the risk of TRALI for recipients and helps ensure the safest plasma products are available to save the lives of those in need.

  Due to the nature of TRALI, donors are not affected: there are no symptoms and no known risks.