Celebrate International Plasma Awareness Week with us

October 7-11, 2019

Today marks the first day of the seventh annual International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW), which will run from October 7-11. This joint initiative of the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) and its member companies is designed to:

• Raise global awareness about source plasma collection
• Recognize the generous contributions of plasma donors in saving and improving lives
• Increase understanding about lifesaving plasma protein therapies and rare diseases

Plasma is the straw-colored liquid portion of blood comprised of water, salts, and proteins. These proteins are necessary for carrying out critical functions in the human body, such as providing antibodies to fight diseases. If a person has insufficient levels of any one plasma protein, his or her body cannot carry out vital functions, causing a variety of chronic and life-threatening medical conditions.

Plasma is used to create lifesaving therapies to treat primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI), and many other life-threatening diseases. The plasma derived therapy that is most often used by those living with PI is immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy, which can be infused intravenously or subcutaneously.

We hope you’ll help us during IPAW by sharing the importance of plasma donations. Remember to highlight the transformational impact plasma donations have on the lives of those living with the rare diseases who rely on plasma-based therapies to stay healthy.

Use #IPAW2019 on social media when sharing your experiences, materials, and facts on plasma donation, and watch the video below for more information.