Plasma
Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood that carries platelets, red cells, and proteins throughout the body. Plasma is made up of 90% water and is more than 55% of your total blood volume.
Plasma is donated through a special process called apheresis. Apheresis allows donors to safely donate certain components of their blood in larger amounts. During an apheresis donation, blood is drawn into a machine which separates the plasma from the rest of the blood. The plasma is collected in a donation bag, while the rest of the blood is returned to the donor. The chart below illustrates this process.
Plasma:
- Shelf life:
- 1 year (frozen)
- Patients who need plasma:
- burn patients, bleeding disorders
- Best blood type to donate:
- AB+, AB-, A+, A-
- Estimated donation time:
- 1 hour and 15 minutes
- How often you can donate:
- every 28 days, up to 13 times per year
- To be eligible you must:
-
- be at least 17 years old
- weigh at least 110 lbs.
- be in good health
Learn more about plasma
*Platelet, Plasma and Double Red Cell donations are not available at all Red Cross Operations.
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Wendy has received more than 2,500 units of plasma for the treatment of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a rare, life-threatening disorder. She will likely need regular transfusions for the rest of her life.
Click here to read Wendy's story about the power of a plasma donation.