All scriptures that command us to give and mention receiving blessings and eternal rewards can easily apply to donating plasma. I pray you make time to donate and be blessed.

Here are some requirements to donate, products made from plasma, and the minor risks involved.

You will need:

To be at least 18 years of age.

To be at least 4' 6" tall and weight at least 110 pounds.

To provide your Social Security number.

Current, legal identifications such as a Drivers License or State ID.

To be a local resident or college student and have proof of residence (e.g. a utility bill with your name and address on it).

To bring copies of all prescriptions or the bottles of medicine that you take.

To be in good health with suitable veins.

To not be active in other donor programs or have donated blood in the past eight weeks.

To test negative for hepatitis and HIV, and may not participate in high risk activities (such as homosexual sex, shooting drugs, paying for sex, etc.)

Plasma's role in producing life-saving medicines makes it extremely important that it be free of viruses and other impurities. Therefore, repeat donors are screened every time they visit the plasma center.

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. Its job is to transport water and nutrients to the body's cells. In addition, it contains millions of proteins that can be used to produce life-saving medicines.

Four kinds of products are made from plasma:

Coagulation products for people with hemophilia or other blood clotting disorders. Without these, many people would develop painful, disabling conditions that can lead to premature death.

Immune globulin products for individuals whose immune systems have been suppressed. These include patients undergoing bone marrow transplants and children with AIDS. Immune globulin products also help to protect the Rh-positive babies of RH-negative mothers.

Plasma volume expanders, which are used to treat victims of trauma, burns or shock. Recovering surgical patients may also receive plasma volume expanders.

An enzyme inhibitor that helps slow the deterioration of the lungs in persons with a certain type of emphysema.

What happens when I donate plasma?

The process of donating plasma is similar to donating blood. A needle is placed in the vein of our arm and blood is collected in a sterile collection system. It separates the plasma (water-like fluid) from the red cells and platelets, which are then returned to your circulatory system through the same needle. This separation process is called plasmapheresis. You remain comfortably reclined for about an hour while the process is carried out. Because only the plasma is retained, donors do not normally experience the light-headedness sometimes associated with donating blood. The plasma is regenerated by your body, normally within 24 hours. In fact, plasma may be donated as often as twice a week.

Are there risks?

Donating plasma is a safe procedure. The fact that plasma collection equipment is sterile and used only once minimizes the possibility of viral infection to the donor. Some donors report light-headedness during or immediately after donating, and some may experience a slight bruising on the arm from the needle placement. I haven't experienced these in any memorable way.

Donors receive regular medical check-ups and testing, which may lead to earlier detection of illness and disease by physicians.

Remember!

120,000 burn victims, 200,000 heart surgery patients and shock victims annually rely on the use of plasma-derived albumin for fluid and protein replacement.

Thousands of infant deaths have been prevented by using Immune Globulin prepared from plasma.

From plasma, the only treatment for emphysema caused by a genetic deficiency, is made.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!