International Plasma Awareness Week 2020: Be a Hero, Donate Plasma Today
Plasma, and plasma donors, are more essential now than ever before
Oct 05, 2020, 09:00 ET
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Oct. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) is proud to mark the launch of the eighth annual International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW), which will run until October 9. PPTA, together with its member companies and patient stakeholder groups around the world, use IPAW to:
- Raise awareness of source plasma collection
- Recognize the contributions of plasma donors in saving and improving lives
- Increase understanding about lifesaving plasma protein therapies and rare diseases.
IPAW 2020 is especially significant given the urgent need for plasma donations, which have declined significantly due to the impacts of social distancing measures and other mobility restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the complex manufacturing of plasma-derived therapies can take 7-12 months, any decline in plasma donations could impact patients' ability to access their lifesaving therapies.
Plasma—the straw-colored, liquid portion of blood—contains proteins necessary for carrying out critical functions in the human body, such as antibodies to fight diseases and clotting factors to regulate bleeding. If a person has insufficient levels of any one plasma protein, his/her body cannot carry out these vital functions, causing a variety of chronic and life-threatening medical conditions.
"During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the world has come to understand the importance of plasma as a life-saving material," said Amy Efantis, PPTA President and CEO. "What patients around the world have long known, however, is that plasma and plasma donors save lives. Plasma donations in the U.S. and in the EU have decreased over the past few months, but as we observe IPAW this week, we call on donors – new and existing – to roll up their sleeves and contribute to saving and improving lives. Likewise, we call on regulators here in the United States and in Europe to remove barriers that limit opportunities for committed and healthy adults to donate their plasma. Plasma donors' dedication is more important and essential now than ever before."
Plasma donations have always been essential and necessary. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges unlike any other the world has experienced in more than 100 years, but PPTA remains steadfastly committed to its mission to promote the availability of — and access to — safe and effective plasma protein therapies for all patients, no matter where they are around the world.
Learn more and find a donation center near you: www.donatingplasma.org.
About PPTA
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), a global industry trade association, represents the private sector manufacturers of plasma-derived and recombinant analog therapies, collectively known as plasma protein therapies, and the collectors of source plasma used for fractionation. Millions of people use these therapies worldwide to treat a variety of diseases and serious medical conditions. PPTA also administers standards and programs that help ensure the quality and safety of plasma collection and manufacturing, protecting donors and patients.
SOURCE Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)
