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Until November 6, the French Blood Establishment is launching its first campaign dedicated to the donation of plasma, a part of our precious blood for the preparation of biomedicines and little known to the general public.
Did you know that you can donate your blood, but also your plasma? For the EFS, the French Blood Establishment, the news is not obvious to everyone:
“LPlasma donation is still largely unknown to the general public and to our donors. According to the Donor Experience Observatory, conducted in 2022, only 28% of donors know that plasma is used for the manufacture of medicines” underlines Cathy Bliem, Director General of the Transfusion Chain, Therapies and Development at the EFS in a press release.
And yet, plasma needs are critical for thousands of patients.
Plasma, what is it?
Plasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) are suspended in blood vessels. It contains albumin, coagulation factors and antibodies of major therapeutic interest for patients. Very many patients are treated each year with drugs produced from proteins extracted from plasma (such as immunoglobulins or directly by plasma transfusion).
The method is a little longer than for a blood donation, but does not present any particular difficulty or pain.
- During the donation, only the plasma from the donor’s blood is extracted, his red blood cells are returned to him.
- This method, known as “by apheresis”, makes it possible to collect two to three times more plasma than during a blood donation.
- The collection lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, to which must be added 20 minutes of snack.
- To donate plasma, you must be in good health, be over 18 and under 65 and respect 2 weeks between two plasma donations or a plasma donation and any other donation (whole blood or platelets).
Plasma donation is only carried out in the EFS Donation Centers and by appointment. To make an appointment, visit the EFS website www.dondesang.efs.sante.fr or the “Blood Donation” app.