Description

What Is Plasma? -Plasma is the often forgotten part of blood.Whiteblood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are important tobodyfunction. But plasma also plays a key role. This fluid carriestheblood components throughout the body. Donating plasma If youwantto donate plasma to help others in need, you will go throughascreening process. This is to make sure your blood is healthyandsafe. If you qualify as a plasma donor, you'll spend about anhourand a half at a clinic on every follow-up visit. During theactualblood donation process, your blood is drawn through a needleplacedin a vein in one arm. A special machine separates the plasmaandoften the platelets from your blood sample. This process iscalledplasmapheresis. The remaining red blood cells and otherbloodcomponents are then returned to your body, along with alittlesaline (salt) solution. People with the blood type AB are inthegreatest demand for plasma donation. They make up just 2 in50people, their plasma is universal. This means their plasma canbeused by anyone. people can donate plasma every 28 days, up to13times a year.