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Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts.
Plasma is mainly used for burn victims.
Your plasma donation could help save the life of a patient in need, especially
if you have type AB blood. People with an AB blood type make up only 3 to 4% of
the population. Since this blood type is unique, patients in area hospitals
constantly need plasma of AB donors. In addition, the AB blood type is the
"universal plasma donor," therefore patients of any blood type can be transfused
with this plasma.
Everything used in a plasma donation is sterile, used on only one donor and then
disposed of. You cannot get AIDS or any disease by giving plasma. Donating
plasma is safe, it saves lives and it is something you'll feel good about doing.
Plasma donations are made through a process called apheresis
(ay-fur-EE'- sis).
During a plasma donation, whole blood is drawn from one arm just like a regular
blood donation. The difference is that the blood flows into a sterile
"collection kit" inside a cell separating machine. The machine spins the blood
so that only plasma is removed and saved. The other blood components, red blood
cells and platelets, are returned to your body through the same line.
From registration to refreshments, donating plasma takes approximately 45
minutes.
You can donate plasma with LifeSource every 29 days.
Due to the special process involved with donating plasma, LifeSource collects
plasma only at the following donor centers:
Glenview
Mundelein
Orland Park
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