Donating blood is a selfless act. Each year, blood donors collectively save the lives of millions of people across the globe. The American Red Cross reports that blood levels continue to be low, and hospital need often outpaces the rate at which many blood donation organizations can replenish their supplies, That reality results in emergency shortages. When people think about blood donations, they frequently envision whole blood donations. But it is possible to only donate plasma as well. And donors typically can donate plasma with greater frequency than they can donate blood. Whole blood donations include all four blood components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. By contrast, plasma donation involves collecting only the plasma component of blood and returning the other three components to the donor, says Plasma Hero. The American Red Cross indicates plasma helps maintain blood pressure and volume; supplies critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity; carries electrolytes to muscles; and helps to maintain a proper pH balance in the body to support cell function.
Plasma is around 90 percent water and is utilized in therapies to replace missing, deficient or malfunctioning proteins in people with life-threatening diseases, including primary immunodeficiency and hemophilia. It also can be given to trauma and burn victims. It is an essential component, and a donation of plasma only takes a few minutes longer than donating whole blood. Unlike type O blood, which is a universal blood donation type, with plasma, type AB is universal.
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