mai 26, 2021

Plasma is a protein-rich component of blood that is used to treat numerous rare and chronic conditions. This yellowish liquid is capable of amazing things, and scientists are continuing to discover new uses for it every day.

In this blog, we’ll be delving into 10 surprising facts about blood plasma that you may not know. Let’s get into it!

1. Plasma is the main component of blood.

Even though plasma doesn’t look very similar to blood, it actually makes up more than half (roughly 55%) of its overall content. The main role of plasma is to carry nutrients, hormones, and proteins to the parts of the body that need it. Blood plasma also contains important antibodies, clotting factors, and proteins that can be made into life-saving therapies for people with rare diseases.

2. Plasma donation is not the same thing as whole blood donation.

Most people are pretty familiar with whole blood donation, but plasma donation is not as well known. Whole blood can either be transfused in its original form or separated into its specific components – red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. Plasma, on the other hand, is extracted from your blood using a special machine and is specifically used to make important therapies that immunocompromised people rely on. The blood donation and plasma donation processes are fairly similar; however, donating plasma does take longer.

3. There are two types of plasma donations.

There are two types of plasma donations that exist – recovered plasma donations and source plasma donations. Recovered plasma comes from whole blood donations that are separated into individual components. Source plasma donations are collected through a process called plasmapheresis, where donors are intravenously connected to an apheresis machine that separates out plasma and returns other blood components to the donor’s body.

4. You can give plasma twice within a seven-day period.

As a plasma donor, you can make two donations in a seven-day period so long as there is at least one rest day between the two donation days. If you donate plasma twice a week at DB Plasma, you can significantly increase the amount of compensation you receive. 

5. There is no substitute for the therapeutic proteins that come from plasma.

The proteins, antibodies, and some clotting factors found in blood plasma are one-of-a-kind, and there is no replacement for them. Life-saving medicines, like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy, can only be made from donated plasma.

6. Source plasma is used to treat dozens of different diseases.

There are over 80 different autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiencies, and rare blood disorders that donated source plasma is used to treat. Some of the diseases that can be treated using plasma-derived therapies include alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, primary immune deficiency, and von Willebrand disease.

7. Up to 1,200 donations are needed to treat one patient for a year.

To create enough life-saving therapies to help patients in need, millions of litres of plasma must be donated every year. It takes 1,200 plasma donations to treat one patient with hemophilia, 900 donations to treat one patient with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and 130 plasma donations to treat one patient with a primary immune deficiency for a year.

8. Paid plasma donations are only permitted in some places in Canada.

Despite the numerous benefits of paid plasma donations and overwhelming evidence that they are just as safe as unpaid donations, not all provinces allow donors to be compensated. Provinces that do allow for paid plasma donations include:

• Saskatchewan
• New Brunswick
• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island

9. Not enough plasma is collected in Canada to meet the demand for plasma products.

Compensating donors has been proven to be the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma. Because not all provinces permit paid plasma donations, Canada has to rely on plasma from paid American donors to meet the growing demand for blood plasma.

10. The United States is responsible for 70% of the global supply of blood plasma.

Paid plasma donations are permitted across the United States and, as a result, they provide 70% of the global supply of plasma. 90% of the total supply of plasma can be accounted for when the U.S. is grouped with other countries that allow for plasma donors to be compensated, including Austria, Czechia, Germany, and Hungary.

There you have it – 10 surprising facts about blood plasma that you may not have been aware of. Here’s one more fact that you should know – the need for plasma never goes away for patients with rare diseases. That’s why your donations are so important. If you’d like to help ensure a secure supply of plasma for patients who need it and get paid for your contribution, book your next appointment today!

mars 30, 2021

Plasma is a protein-rich component of blood that can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. In order for donated plasma to actually be manufactured into life-saving therapies, however, it must first meet certain quality standards. Thankfully, as a plasma donor, there are things you can do to give your plasma the best chance of being put to good use. Keep reading to find out what they are!

What Is Considered Healthy Plasma?

There are rigorous screening processes that have been put in place to ensure that only healthy pools of plasma are used for therapeutic purposes. At plasma collection centres, donors must meet certain eligibility requirements and undergo medical examinations before giving plasma. Once their plasma is collected, centre staff check to see whether it’s discoloured or cloudy. Healthy plasma is pale-yellow and clear.

It can take anywhere from seven to twelve months for plasma protein therapies to be manufactured from the time a donation is made to the time it is ready to be given to a patient. After blood plasma leaves the collection centre, samples are tested for indicators of viral infections. Plasma products are then further safeguarded by advanced pathogen reduction processes. Only after this extensive manufacturing process is plasma considered safe to use.

The Dos and Don’ts of Plasma Donation

There are plenty of things you can do to improve the quality of your plasma as a donor. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts you should consider.

Do:

• Drinking lots of water the day before and the day of your plasma donation appointment, ideally six to eight cups. The amount of water you drink directly affects how full your vein will be and how your plasma is separated.
• Eat a healthy meal that’s iron and protein-rich within two hours of donating. Iron-rich foods include broccoli, beans, leafy greens, chicken, and turkey. Foods high in protein include nuts, eggs, cheese, and yogurt.
• Get a good night’s rest prior to donating. The more rested you are, the smoother and quicker your recovery will be. Your donation will also be more plentiful.

Don’t:

• Drink alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to donating. Alcohol is a diuretic that can cause dehydration and make plasma donation more difficult.
• Drink caffeine, in any form, on the day of your plasma donation appointment. Caffeine can cause blood vessels to constrict, making finding a vein and returning the non-plasma portions of blood back to the donor more challenging. 
• Eat fatty foods like potato chips, pizza, and fries the day of your plasma donation appointment. These foods can negatively impact your blood tests and contribute to cloudy plasma.
• Use tobacco or cannabis for at least eight hours prior to donating. Smoking tobacco before giving plasma can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Smoking cannabis in this time period will lead to at least a one-day deferral. 

By following these tips and tricks, you can rest easy knowing you’ve done everything on your part to ensure your plasma can be used for the greater good. Book your next plasma donation appointment today to put them into practice!  

janvier 26, 2021

Plasma is a clear, straw-coloured liquid component of blood that contains important proteins. The proteins found in plasma, including albumin and globulin, play an essential role in blood clotting and defending the body against infections. Donated plasma is often used to create life-saving therapies for patients with rare diseases whose bodies aren’t able to perform these vital functions on their own. As such, keeping your protein levels up as a plasma donor is very important.

If you’d like to learn more about the ways you can get your protein levels up for plasma donation, keep reading to find out!

Protein Levels and the Plasma Donation Process

Plasma donors must meet certain eligibility requirements and undergo screenings to ensure their plasma is safe and viable. Part of the screening process involves total protein (TP) measurements being taken.

The total protein measurement process is relatively simple. It involves a finger stick test that is used to collect a blood sample. A capillary tube containing the blood sample is then spun and TP is measured. The minimum acceptable TP level for plasma donation is 6.0 g/dl.

If your TP levels don’t reach that level, you won’t be eligible to donate plasma on the day of the test. However, there are things you can do to bring your protein levels up and resume your plasma donation sessions if you find yourself in this scenario.

3 Ways to Increase Your Protein Levels for Plasma Donation

1. Consume Animal Proteins

Eating animal proteins is a great way to boost the protein level in your blood. Red meat is one of the best sources of animal protein, but it is also high in saturated fat, which can ultimately affect your cardiovascular health. To get optimal protein levels in your diet while also keeping your health in check, opt for leaner cuts of red meat like sirloin steak and filet mignon. These red meats contain 23 grams and 22 grams of protein per 3 oz serving respectively.

Other meats that are high in protein include pork, poultry, and fish. Pork contains 23 grams of protein per 3 oz serving, chicken contains roughly 24 grams of protein per 3 oz serving, and salmon contains 17 grams of protein per 3 oz serving.

2. Consume Dairy and Eggs

Dairy and eggs are another excellent source of protein. There are 6 grams of protein in one large egg and, compared to other cheeses, low-fat ricotta and cottage cheese contain a substantial amount of protein without a high percentage of fat. One cup of low-fat ricotta has 20 grams of protein and one cup of large curd cottage cheese has 23 grams of protein.

3. Consume Plant-Based Protein

If you don’t eat animal products, there are still ways to increase your protein intake with just plant-based foods! Tofu, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale are all great sources of protein.

No matter what your dietary preferences are, there are plenty of ways to boost your protein levels so that they are adequate for plasma donation! Book your next appointment at a DB Plasma centre near you to help patients that rely on plasma-derived therapies and earn up to $4,680/year.