The Emotional Aspects of Plasma Donation – How Donors Make a Difference

Plasma donation has been helping people living with chronic and rare conditions for over 50 years! Each year, millions of amazing donors step up to provide plasma for lifesaving medicines and treatments.

For patients like Rachel—an artist living with a progressive disease that affects her limbs—these treatments offer a way forward.

“I absolutely love escaping and going back to my artwork—that’s my safe space … the impact of the symptoms really were worrying, because I use my hands a lot in my artwork,” says Rachel. “I noticed that my fingers became stiff. Daily activities were becoming more difficult.”¹

Rachel began a treatment made from plasma, sharing, “It was such a relief to go from the mystery of what was wrong with me to finding a treatment that was working for me.”²

The generosity of our donors helps create new possibilities for Rachel and so many others!

Many people who receive medications made from plasma are navigating life-changing health issues. For some, their illness has changed their entire way of life.

“I felt like I was being held captive by unrelenting infections,” recalls Winnie, who used to travel the world before her symptoms made it impossible.³

Gary, who also has an immune disorder, had similar thoughts about living with his symptoms. “I felt lost, and I felt that there was no future.”⁴

People cope with serious illnesses in different ways. Bibian found relief through art.

“I used creativity in the past to deal with my illness … and I guess with painting it was just easier to get into my emotions,” says Bibian.⁵

Getting a diagnosis and treatment plan often brings a sense of control and helps people keep going through the hard days.

“Discovering my condition, what it was, what it meant, and treatment was a turning point in my life, and it was a time when a light began to shine again,” says Gary.⁶

Winnie’s ongoing health issues and treatments had weakened her immune system. Her doctor recommended treatments made from plasma to help her body fight back.

“[W]ith the treatment, I experienced fewer infections, and I could feel a sense of normalcy returning. My hunger for travel has returned.”⁷

Many of these patients spend years in and out of hospitals, looking for answers. Now, their future is looking brighter and they’re doing what they love, thanks in large part to the generosity of our amazing plasma donors!

Each donation goes a long way in helping people live a fuller, healthier life, and even though plasma donors may never meet the people they help, their impact is felt far and wide.

Plasma donations also impact the families of those caring for loved ones who are sick. When Annet and Peter learned that their daughter Sanne had a rare disease, they were understandably worried. Today, treatments are giving them hope that Sanne can live a more normal life.

“Sanne is now in a critical moment where she is growing to be an adult. So the world is at her feet,” shares Annet.⁸

Though there are still some hard days, Peter’s proud of all Sanne has overcome. “She just passed her exams, and she wants to be a nurse,” he says.⁹

Each year, doctors and nurses work with thousands of people who need medicines made from plasma.¹⁰ Since plasma can’t be made in a lab, patients rely on plasma from caring donors like you to provide the hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of donations needed to treat one person for one year.

Creating a safe and enjoyable experience at our centers is about protecting the people who give. It’s also about honoring the time they make possible for others—time to dream, grow up, and build a future with their loved ones.

“My health is the direct result of the generosity of others,” says Evin, who relies on one of the therapies made from donated plasma.¹¹

The plasma donated at BioLife centers helps create more than 20 types of medicines.¹² Medicines that help change the lives of real people like Rachel, Gary, and Evin. As demand for these treatments continues to rise, more donors are needed to help those in need.¹³ If you’re ready to give, click here to find your local center.

If you’d like more information on the plasma donation journey, please visit your local BioLife donation center. Our staff will be happy to chat with you about the donation process and answer any questions.