Phlebotomist Latasha Hamilton (proper) prepares Gabriela Moreno (left) and the gear for donating plasma, a course of that takes lower than an hour. Credit score: Plasma Protein Therapeutics Affiliation
Worldwide Plasma Consciousness Week (IPAW) takes place globally from October 6–10. The week encourages communities world wide to acknowledge the important position of plasma in creating lifesaving medicines and honors those that donate. A brand new survey has discovered that 72% of respondents agree that plasma-derived medicines can save lives, but most haven’t donated plasma.
The survey requested over 1,000 American adults questions on their understanding of plasma donation and lifesaving plasma-derived medicines. Plasma, a element of blood, is crucial in producing therapies for quite a lot of severe well being circumstances, together with immune deficiencies, bleeding problems, extreme burns, and extra. It is usually utilized in on a regular basis well being care settings, resembling throughout surgical procedures, childbirth, and organ transplants.
The necessity for plasma-derived medicines continues to rise as science reveals new makes use of and indications, as advances in requirements of care increase their position in therapy. With lots of of hundreds of sufferers world wide relying on these distinctive therapies—and since plasma can’t be recreated in a lab—the significance of plasma donation is significant.
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Affiliation (PPTA) commissioned the ballot to higher perceive People’ notion of the rising want for plasma-derived medicines.
Notable survey findings embrace:
Eight in 10 survey respondents have by no means donated plasma.
About half (49%) of People who’ve by no means donated plasma really feel they have no idea sufficient concerning the donation course of.
The survey additionally revealed a perceived disparity between blood and plasma donation, with 65% of respondents believing there’s a larger want for donated blood than plasma, and 60% feeling that blood donation advantages extra folks.
Throughout IPAW and past, PPTA encourages all wholesome adults over the age of 18 to think about giving the present of life by way of plasma donation. Credit score: Plasma Protein Therapeutics Affiliation
“As the survey results show, there is increasing public awareness of the essential role plasma donation plays in saving lives,” said Anita Brikman, President and CEO of the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Affiliation.
“However, understanding must continue to advance in order to meet growing patient needs. During IPAW, it’s important to recognize plasma donors as everyday heroes because, as the survey shows, Americans know that plasma donation saves lives.”
“As a patient who relies on the generosity of plasma donors, I feel optimistic about the survey results,” mentioned Lillie Hunnicut, a Seattle-based plasma advocate and customary variable immune deficiency affected person.
“Donating plasma helps create medicines that help me and many others thrive! Thanks to my plasma-derived therapy, I can now run, hike, climb, and be active and present in my daily life in a way that I wasn’t for several years before my diagnosis and treatment. I am so grateful to the many donors who have given me not just my life back—but have strengthened my sense of hope in humanity.”
Earlier than donating plasma, donors have their vitals checked, together with blood strain, coronary heart charge, temperature, hemoglobin and weight in addition to fill out a questionnaire to ensure they’re match to donate. Credit score: Plasma Protein Therapeutics Affiliation
“An estimated half a million Americans have been diagnosed with a primary immunodeficiency (PI), though the actual number is likely much higher due to widespread underdiagnosis,” mentioned Jorey Berry, President and CEO of the Immune Deficiency Basis.
“Many individuals with PI depend on life-saving plasma-derived medicines that cannot be manufactured synthetically and can only be produced through the generosity of human donors. It is my hope that this survey and International Plasma Awareness Week will shine a much-needed spotlight on the critical, ongoing need for plasma donation and help raise awareness of these often-overlooked immune system disorders.”
PPTA encourages all wholesome adults over the age of 18 to think about giving the present of life by way of plasma donation.
Extra info:
Go to www.pptaglobal.org/donate to study extra and discover a donation middle.
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The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Affiliation
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Survey reveals most People imagine plasma donation saves lives, but few have donated (2025, October 6)
retrieved 6 October 2025
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