By SHALYCE D. JACKSON, MBA

Plasma donors are needed to contribute to saving lives based on the donor's plasma protein and the therapies for the patients it impacts. Plasma donation, (Source plasma) and whole blood donation are critically important activities that contribute to saving lives. Only a small number of people living in the United States who are eligible to donate source plasma or whole blood actually donate.

There are many with rare diseases that these are the only therapies available to treat the chronic condition(s). Plasma-derived therapies replace missing or deficient proteins that allow individuals to lead healthy and more productive lives. The patients that rely on these therapies generally require regular infusions or injections throughout their lives.

What is your plasma used for?

• Clotting Factors--People with bleeding disorders are unable to clot blood properly. As a result, a minor injury may result in internal bleeding, organ damage and even death.
• Immunoglobulin or IVIG--There are more than 150 primary immune deficiency disorders (PID). These individuals have improperly functioning immune systems and do not respond to traditional antibiotics. Without IVIG, they are exposed to frequent and often serious infections.
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin--Alpha-1 is more commonly known as genetic emphysema. It is a heredity condition that may result in serious lung disease in adults and lung and/or liver disease in both children and adults.
• Albumin--Albumin is used to treat burns, trauma patients and surgical patients.
• Hyperimmuneglobulins -- These are used to treat rabies, tetanus, dialysis patients and organ transplant recipients. They are also used to treat pregnant women who have Rh incompatibility, a condition where the mother and fetus have incompatible blood that can lead to serious injury to the unborn child or even death.
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency -- is one of the most common serious hereditary disorders in the world and can result in life-threatening liver disease in children and adults and lung disease in adults. It is often referred to as genetic emphysema.
• Hereditary Angioedema -- is caused by a missing C1 esterase inhibitor protein (C1-INH), which helps regulate inflammation. Patients can experience edema (severe swelling) which can be fatal if the airway becomes obstructed.
• Hemophilia A -- a heredity bleeding disorder that is caused by a lack of clotting factor VIII. As a result, individuals with this condition suffer from bleeding into joints and other complications. For the most part, men have hemophilia A as the defective gene is found on the X chromosome. A woman who has the defective gene is considered a carrier and any male offspring have a 50% chance of having hemophilia A and female offspring a 50% chance of being a carrier. It affects one in 10,000 people. With treatment, individuals are able to lead relatively normal lives.
• Hemophilia B-- a blood clotting disorder caused by a mutation of the Factor IX gene. It is rarer than hemophilia A and affected royal families in both Europe and Russia. It affects one in 25,000 men. Replacement of Factor IX through recombinant therapy allows individuals to lead relatively normal lives.
• Von Willebrand Disease --the most common bleeding disorder, affects about 1.25 million men and women worldwide, although it is estimated that as many as 3 million are undiagnosed. Common symptoms include excessive menstrual bleeding and nosebleeds. There are several kinds of VWD and symptom severity varies. With proper treatment, individuals may live relatively normal lives.
• Antithrombin III -- a protein that prevents blood clots from forming. It is caused by an abnormal gene that may lead to blood clots. Data on incidence is uncertain.
• Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PID) -- a genetic condition that prevents an individual's immune system from functioning properly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there may be as many as 150 PIDs. PID results a high susceptibility to infection and an inability to fight them with traditional antibiotics.
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) -- is a rate autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system of both children and adults. Nerves in the arms and legs may become weakened and lead to paralysis. It is sometimes referred to as Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
• Idiopathic Thrombocytpenic Purpura (ITP) -- is an autoimmune blood disorder that results in reduced blood platelet levels, essential for blood clotting.
• Kawasaki Disease-- a condition that primarily affects children under the age of five and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. If it is not detected, it can result in heart damage and death.

In addition to lifesaving therapies, Plasma Source is also used in everyday medicine and emergency and critical care situations and in preventive medicine for: Burns, Shock, Trauma, Major Surgery, RH Incompatibility, Cardiopulmonary Issues, Organ Transplants, Pediatric, HIV, Hepatitis, Liver Conditions, Animal Bites, and Auto-Immune Diseases.

Source plasma collection in the U.S. is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and, in Europe, by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and national regulatory authorities. Source plasma collection centers are also certified by the International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP), a rigorous, voluntary program that goes beyond regulatory requirements to help ensure donor safety and further improve the quality of source plasma used for fractionation.

Source plasma is collected through a process called plasmapheresis. In more than 600 specialized donation centers located in the U.S. and Europe, individuals may donate plasma. Plasmapheresis is a sterile, self-contained, automated process that separates plasma from red blood cells and other cellular components which are then returned to the donor. The requirement

To be a successful donor, verification and eligibility assessments are evaluated each visit.

• Be in good health, meaning you feel well and can do normal everyday activities.
• Drink plenty of water or juice to be fully hydrated
• Be between the ages of 18 and 66.
• Have a healthy vein in your arm for drawing blood.
• The FDA sets the guidelines and the ranges for weight to be 110-400 pounds. Weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Must not have received ear piercings, body piercings, tattoos or permanent makeup in the past 4 months.
• Must pass a medical examination by on-site Medical Physicians Substitutes.
• Complete an extensive medical history screening.
• Test non-reactive for transmissible viruses including hepatitis and HIV.
• You can expect to be voluntarily compensated anywhere from $20to $50 per donation.
• Local facilities (BPL Plasma, 11601 E. Colonial Drive, 321-235-9100) provide additional promotions for consistent and committed donations.
• A donor can donate up to 2 times in a 7-day period, if there is 24 hours in between donations.
• Donor Eligibility is at the sole discretion of the plasma collection facility.

Because the need for plasma is so great, facilitates are looking for those committed donors. It is only after two satisfactory health screenings and negative test results within six months that you may receive Qualified Donor status. Until you meet the requirements, your plasma will not be used to manufacture therapies. This is important to help ensure the quality and safety of the therapies that patients need to treat life-threatening diseases.

Visit BPL Plasma Center at 11601 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32817, Monday - Friday 6am - 6pm and Saturday-Sunday 8am-4pm.

(Source: https://www.donatingplasma.org)

A recognized business leader known for implementing vision to achieve business goals, Shalyce Jackson, MBA, serves as a Sales, Marketing and Healthcare & Financial Services and Consultant to the healthcare industry for several Fortune 500 Corporations.

She holds a Florida License in Health & Life Insurance (including Annuities & Variable Contracts) and maintains membership in the National Black MBA Association, and an Advisory Board member of the National Sales Network, Orlando Chapter. She can be reached at shalyce.jackson@bplgroup.com