Public Perception of Plasma Donation: Vital Yet Underutilized in America

Understanding the Need for Plasma Donation

International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW), celebrated globally from October 6-10, aims to raise awareness about the crucial role of plasma in the development of life-saving medicines. Despite widespread acknowledgment of its importance, recent survey findings indicate a troubling trend: while a significant majority believe that plasma-derived therapies can save lives, very few have actually participated in plasma donation.

According to a poll conducted among more than 1,000 American adults, 72% agree that plasma-derived medicines are critical in saving lives, yet an eye-opening 80% of respondents have never donated plasma. This statistic underscores a major disconnect between perception and action. Plasma is an essential component of blood, necessary for the creation of treatments that address various severe health issues such as immune deficiencies and bleeding disorders, alongside its routine usage in surgeries and other medical scenarios.

The survey also indicated that nearly half of the respondents who have never donated plasma indicated that a lack of knowledge about the donation process deterred them from contributing. This suggests that educational initiatives surrounding plasma donation could have a profound impact on increasing donation rates.

Interestingly, the survey unveiled a significant perception gap between blood donation and plasma donation. About 65% of those surveyed perceived a greater need for blood donations, with 60% believing that blood donations benefit a larger number of individuals compared to plasma. This belief may contribute to the reluctance of individuals to engage in plasma donation, despite the crucial life-saving therapies it supports.

Anita Brikman, President and CEO of the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), expressed optimism regarding the growing awareness but emphasized the necessity of continued education. “As the survey results show, there is increasing public awareness of the essential role plasma donation plays in saving lives,” said Brikman. “However, understanding must continue to advance in order to meet growing patient needs.”

Real Stories: The Impact of Plasma Donation

Personal anecdotes further highlight the vital importance of plasma donation. Lillie Hunnicut, a Seattle-based advocate for plasma donation living with common variable immune deficiency, shared her journey, stating how plasma-derived therapies have given her the ability to lead a more active life. She passionately advocates for plasma donation, thanking the donors whose contributions have profoundly changed her life.

The statistics are stark: around half a million Americans are diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency diseases, yet the actual number may be much higher due to underdiagnosis. Many of these individuals rely on life-saving plasma-derived medicines that are irreplaceable and can only be produced through donations.

Jorey Berry, President and CEO of the Immune Deficiency Foundation, reinforced the pressing need for plasma donations: “Many individuals with PI depend on life-saving plasma-derived medicines that cannot be manufactured synthetically and can only be produced through the generosity of human donors.” She highlighted the importance of this survey in raising awareness about plasma donation, urging the public to recognize the critical, ongoing demand for plasma.

Call to Action: Contributing to Lifesaving Solutions

This International Plasma Awareness Week, the PPTA encourages all healthy adults over the age of 18 to consider donating plasma, reinforcing the idea that each donation can have profound impacts on people's lives. For anyone looking to contribute, seeking out local donation centers is a simple step toward making a difference.

Plasma donation is not just about giving blood; it’s about providing hope and life-saving treatments for countless individuals around the world. With the growing understanding of its importance, it is crucial for the community to come together in support of plasma donation for advancing health care solutions.

For further information on how to participate in plasma donation, visit PPTA's website. Together, we can work to bridge the gap between awareness and action, ultimately saving lives through plasma donation.