When doctors treat trauma patients and perform transplants, no advance in technology can replace the critical clotting and immune factors found in voluntarily donated human plasma. And, in an emergency, when patients can't wait, their doctors call on plasma donors. In just an hour, no more time than it takes to make a whole blood donation - a single plasma donor can make the difference for a patient in crisis. And because the human body replaces plasma so rapidly, plasmapheresis donors can give twice as often as whole blood donors, up to 12 times a year. That means helping four times as many patients, with no more time spent donating.
Apheresis makes the time savings possible.
Every donation is monitored by a sophisticated computer and friendly, highly trained Red Cross professionals. Plasma is the clear yellowish fluid portion of the blood that transports water and nutrients to all the cells in the body. It is composed of approximately 90 percent salt water and 10 percent protein and electrolytes. Through the natural metabolic process, aided by a healthy diet, the body generates salt water and protein. Blood is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.