5 reasons to donate plasma during COVID-19

There are many ways you can help your community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe you’ve been ordering take-out to support your favorite small restaurants. Maybe you’ve donated canned goods to the local food bank or called to check on an elderly neighbor. But there is another important way you can help this holiday season. You can donate plasma.

Plasma is the clear, liquid part of your blood. You may have heard of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, but plasma is the biggest part of your blood — about 55 percent. The pale yellow substance carries proteins, nutrients and minerals throughout your body. It’s a vital substance, but it’s never been more in demand than it is right now.

Here are five reasons you should donate plasma during COVID-19:

1. You can help COVID-19 patients recover

If you have fully recovered from COVID-19, your convalescent plasma now contains antibodies — proteins made by the body in response to infections — that could help other COVID-19 patients currently fighting the infection.

In fact, the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to be used in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It’s even currently undergoing research to determine if it’s an effective long-term treatment for COVID-19. Without donations from caring individuals, none of this can happen!

Not sure if you’ve had COVID-19? CSL Plasma will provide you with a free antibody screening today.

2. There is a critical shortage of plasma

In a regular year, there is usually a shortage of plasma donations. Of course, 2020 is far from being a normal year.

Couple stay-at-home orders with plasma donation centers being limited to the number of people they could take at a time and donations dropped off significantly.

The 2020 shortage has caused a crisis, forcing many U.S. hospitals to suspend or reduce immunoglobulin (IG) treatments for all patients except those at risk of death if they go without.

IG is used to treat more than 150 immune deficiency disorders including lupus, Guillain-Barre syndrome and blood clotting disorders, among others. Tens of thousands of people currently rely on some form of IG treatments to live healthier lives. IG infusions, made from plasma donations, give those with immune deficiencies the antibodies that their own immune system is not able to naturally produce. This helps the patient ward off infections — a critical body function always, but never more important than in the middle of a pandemic so deadly for those with weakened immune systems.

3. You can make some quick cash

It’s possible to make up to $700 a month, making it a pretty worthy side hustle for supplemental income. First-time donors make $65, but the longer you donate, the more money you can make. Pay off your holiday credit card bill. Plan and save for a dream trip after the pandemic ends. Make up for reduced work hours.

Whatever your reason, donating plasma will provide you with a cash payout the same day you donate.

4. Help nurses in need

Double your good deed!

Want to donate plasma that helps save lives but don’t need the cash? Now you can donate your earnings to frontline workers through Project C.U.R.E. It’s Project C.U.R.E.’s mission to supply hospitals and clinics with the medical supplies and equipment they need but might be in short supply. Project C.U.R.E. often works overseas but has recently focused its resources to help aid United States hospitals struggling with COVID-19.

5. Help advance the future of medicine

Besides serving as supplemental plasma for patients in need, doctors use plasma to develop treatments for immune system disorders and other rare blood diseases. Yearly flu vaccine development also relies on plasma donations.

Whether it’s COVID-19 treatments today or flu vaccines of tomorrow, the future of medicine relies on plasma donations.

Donating plasma is the gift of life. When you donate plasma, you’re giving someone the chance to ward off infections at a time when this has never been more crucial.

For more information, visit cslplasma.com and find out how to prepare for your donation, or call 412-612-2091 for the nearest CSL Plasma location and to find out if you qualify.

Sponsored by CSL Plasma Monroeville, PA, 3470 William Penn Highway, Suite 900.