BioLife Team Spotlight: How One Center Manager Gives Back

Throughout the year many people show their generous side by giving their time and money to help those in need. These wonderful acts of selflessness not only help others but also create a feeling of togetherness and a positive spirit. At BioLife, our center staff exemplify this spirit of giving. Countless stories abound of our dedicated staff members going the extra mile, generously donating both their time and resources to serve their communities. We’re sharing one of these inspiring stories, featuring Julia, our esteemed Center Manager in Bloomington, Indiana. It may give you some inspiration.

Sharing your talents: If you're unsure about how to donate your time, consider focusing on your existing talents. Julia provides a wonderful example by leveraging her incredible photography skills. In December, Julia volunteered her expertise for the benefit of Our Lil Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, located in Poland, Indiana. She dedicated her time to capturing heartwarming "Santa Paws" holiday pictures featuring rescue animals and individuals’ pets with Santa, for free. Julia expressed, "This is my way of giving back this year. I'm super excited about it. I make an effort to give back every holiday season."

Julia has a track record of generously sharing her photography skills, often teaming up with Santa. In the past, she dedicated her time to taking pictures of kids with Santa as well as helping to collect toys and donations for local toy drives, all free of charge. Additionally, for several years, she captured images of animals awaiting rescue, helping showcase their beauty and increase their chances of finding loving homes.

We think Julia is amazing, and just like she did, we encourage you to discover your own favorite ways to give back, whether it's photography, writing, artistic skills, or any other talents you excel in, sharing your expertise can make a big difference.

If you want to help out Our Lil' Bit of Heaven, a no-kill, non-profit animal rescue and sanctuary, you can find them here. Please note that this mention is not an official promotion of the organization.

Sharing your time. You don't need special talents to make a positive impact. Many opportunities exist where simply showing up and giving your time can spread a lot of joy and hope. Here are some ideas where you can donate your time:

• Soup Kitchens, Food Banks, Homeless Shelters
• Toy Drives and Gift Wrapping
• Senior Centers and Nursing Homes
• Charity Runs and Walks
• Adopt-a-Family Programs

Donating plasma is also a compassionate and impactful way to give back. By donating plasma, you go beyond offering your time; once your plasma is collected, it is then transformed into a critical component for medical treatments. Read about patients who have been helped by these plasma-derived therapies here. This selfless act is especially significant for individuals requiring life-saving therapies and treatments that depend on plasma-derived products. Your generosity in donating plasma directly contributes to dramatically improving and even saving the lives of patients in need. Learn how to donate plasma with our step-by-step guide.

More resources for inspiring giving*:

• Find a local homeless shelter to donate your time to here, with The Salvation Army.
• Petfinder has some fantastic ideas for volunteering at animal shelters here and pets in your area up for adoption petfinder.com.
• VolunteerMatch.org connects volunteers with nonprofit organizations by matching their skills and interests with available opportunities.
• Points of Light’s aggregates volunteer opportunities from various sources.
• Find ways to volunteer with United Way.

*Please note that the above mentions are not official promotions of any of the organizations.

There are many more websites that post volunteer opportunities and information on how to get involved. With a little research, you can find a cause you are passionate about.

BioLife believes that every individual can make a difference in someone else’s life. Of course, we believe that donating plasma is a thoughtful, life-saving gift you can give, but there are many other ways you can make a positive impact throughout the year. We encourage you to spread some kindness and generosity by finding ways to give to others.

Are you interested in helping save lives by donating plasma? Find a plasma donation center near you to learn more and schedule your appointment today!

Now that you know what plasma is, you can understand why plasma cannot be artificially made. Plasma can only come from healthy donors, like you!

After you donate plasma, your body naturally replenishes it within 48 hours or so. And since plasma is mainly water and salts, it relies on fluids absorbed through your digestive system.

TIP: Staying hydrated before and after your donation helps speed up the replenishment process. Tips to prepare for donating plasma.

Unlike whole blood donation, which is limited to once every two months, healthy adults can donate plasma twice a week.