what is plasma donation

Plasma donation is a process where the liquid portion of your blood, called plasma, is collected while the other blood components like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are returned to your body. This is done through a method called apheresis using a high-tech machine. The process involves drawing blood from one arm, separating out the plasma, and then returning the remaining blood components back to you along with some saline. Plasma makes up about 55% of your blood and consists mostly of water (about 92%), with essential proteins, electrolytes, hormones, and vitamins suspended in it. Plasma plays important roles such as maintaining blood pressure and volume, carrying critical proteins for clotting and immunity, transporting electrolytes to muscles, and helping maintain pH balance. Donated plasma is vital for medical treatments and can be used for trauma patients, burn victims, those with severe liver disease, clotting disorders, immune deficiencies, and many other conditions. The plasma is frozen within 24 hours to preserve its proteins and can be stored for up to one year. Plasma donations are especially important because the proteins and antibodies in plasma are used to make life-saving medicines for many chronic and acute medical conditions. The donation process takes about an hour and 15 minutes, slightly longer than whole blood donation. Donors can donate plasma multiple times a year, and type AB plasma is especially valuable as it can be given to patients of any blood type. In summary, plasma donation collects the liquid part of your blood to help save lives through transfusions and the production of essential medicines for various medical conditions.