Why we dedicate a week to plasma

A resource
 that many still
 don't know about

Every year, during the first week of October, patient organizations, healthcare professionals and the plasma industry come together to mark International Plasma Awareness Week. The reason is simple: plasma is vital for thousands of people, yet many remain unaware of its importance and the role it plays in healthcare.

At Grifols, we know every vial of plasma derived medicine begins with a personal decision, someone choosing to donate, and ends with a patient impacted by that act of generosity.

What is plasma?

It is the most abundant component of our blood and one of the least understood. In this short video, we'll explain exactly what it is and what it contains.

The most abundant component of blood

Blood is not a uniform liquid. If left to settle, it separates into two clearly distinct parts. The portion that occupies the greatest volume is not the red blood cells, but rather a pale yellow or golden liquid: plasma.

Plasma makes up approximately 55% of our blood. The remaining 45% consists of red blood cells (around 44%) and, in much smaller proportions, white blood cells and platelets (about 1%).

  • Plasma: Transports proteins, nutrients and hormones throughout the body.
  • Blood cells: Carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.
  • White cells and platelets: Help fight infection and support blood clotting

The proteins inside plasma

Plasma is composed primarily of water, which accounts for 92% of its volume. Proteins make up just 7%, while the remaining 1% consists of other substances such as mineral salts, hormones and nutrients.

That seemingly small 7% is what makes plasma such a remarkable resource. It contains essential proteins, including immunoglobulins, which help the immune system recognize and fight infections; albumin, which maintains fluid balance throughout the body; and clotting factors, which help stop bleeding after an injury. When the body is unable to produce one of these proteins, or does not produce enough of it, serious and potentially life threatening diseases can result.

A resource that cannot be manufactured

Plasma proteins cannot be made in a laboratory. There is no way to produce them industrially or replace them with an equivalent chemical compound. The only source is plasma donated by healthy, qualified individuals.

That is why plasma is considered an essential and finite resource. Every treatment a patient receives is possible because someone, somewhere, chose to use their time to donate plasma.

Ways to obtain plasma

There are two ways to obtain plasma. Understanding the difference between them helps explain how the plasma donation system works.

How plasma is collected during blood donation

During a blood donation, whole blood is collected and then separated into three components: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. The process is relatively quick, taking about 30 minutes, but it yields only a limited amount of plasma.

How plasma is collected through plasmapheresis

Plasmapheresis is a donation procedure specifically designed to collect plasma. During the process, blood is drawn and passed through a cell separator that removes only the plasma. The remaining components, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, are returned to the donor through the same needle.

Because the body replenishes plasma quickly and the other blood components are returned to the donor, plasmapheresis can be performed more frequently than whole blood donation.

The plasma journey

Between the time someone donates plasma and the moment a patient receives a plasma derived therapy lie months of work, thousands of quality checks and a process that spans multiple countries. This is the journey from donation to treatment.

From donation to patient, step by step

The path a plasma donation follows before becoming a medicine is long and subject to rigorous controls at every stage. The key steps include:

Donation

Donors visit an authorized donation center, where they are screened to ensure they meet the required health criteria before each donation.

Testing and screening

Every donation is tested to verify its safety. No unit moves forward unless it passes all required tests.

Storage

Plasma is frozen and stored in controlled conditions until it is shipped to fractionation facilities.

Manufacturing

Through fractionation, plasma proteins are separated and purified to produce specific therapies.

Filling and distribution

The finished product is packaged, undergoes additional quality testing and is distributed to hospitals and pharmacies for patient use.

7-12 months from donor to patient

From the time of donation to the moment a treatment reaches a patient, the process can take seven to twelve months.
 That is one reason regular donation is so important: the system depends on a steady and predictable supply to meet a demand that continues to grow.

Quality and safety at every stage

Every plasma donation is fully traceable, from the center where it was donated to the batch of medicine in which it is ultimately used. In addition to the industry's rigorous quality controls, health authorities regularly inspect both donation centers and manufacturing facilities.

Impacting patients

Plasma derived medicines are used to treat rare, chronic, and at times life threatening diseases. They are administered to people who are unable to produce certain plasma proteins and are also used in critical situations such as severe bleeding, major burns, serious infections and complex surgeries.

Conditions treated with plasma derived therapies include primary immunodeficiencies, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency and certain immune mediated neurological diseases.

“For me, plasma is a lifeline that enables me to keep living my life and doing what I love most.”

Sergi, 17 years Living with a primary immunodeficiency