An on-line resource for plasma donors

October 16, 7:22 PMHealth ExaminerAngela Spears

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Donating plasma can help save a life 

A new industry-wide Web site designed to heighten public awareness and point out the life-saving benefits of donating plasma was recently launched. DonatingPlasma.org was developed by the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) and offers information on the need for plasma donors, donor information and compensation, patient stories and helps users locate a plasma donation center. With hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world depending on plasma-derived therapies, this new site will be valuable to those who are curious about ways in which they can become an essential part of saving someone's life.

Plasma, the largest blood component, is the starting material for a wide-range of life-saving medicines used to treat life-threatening, rare, chronic, and often genetic diseases and disorders such as hemophilia, primary immunodeficiencies, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and neurological and autoimmune disorders. In addition, plasma protein therapies are used to treat medical conditions such as shock, trauma and burns.

"A major goal of PPTA is to provide information to potential and current plasma donors that stress the need for their donation, which is critical in helping save lives," said PPTA President Jan M. Bult.

The site contains up-to-the minute information about plasma donation, including the eligibility and criteria for donors, FAQ, and the time and commitment required to donate plasma. It is a useful resource for those who want to learn more about the patients who are helped everyday by someone who gives plasma. DonatingPlasma.org offers information regarding the diseases and disorders treated with plasma protein therapies, differences in blood and plasma collection, video segments offering real-life interviews with patients, plasma donors and physicians, and links to patient group organizations and other on-line sources.

The PPTA is the trade association and standard setting organization for the world's major producers of plasma-derived and recombinant analog therapies (collectively, "plasma therapies"). These therapies are used by more than 1 million people worldwide each year to treat a variety of diseases and serious medical conditions. PPTA members produce over 80 percent of the plasma therapies for the United States market and more than 60 percent worldwide.