Plasma Donors Recognized For Their Lifesaving Contributions To The Treatment Of Rare Diseases

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CSL Plasma, operator of one of the largest plasma collection networks in the world and parent company CSL Behring are celebrating the contributions of donor-heroes during International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW), October 13–20. The week-long observance, which is sponsored by the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association and its member companies, raises global awareness of source plasma collection and increases understanding of plasma protein therapies and rare diseases.

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The opening of plasma centers in Vancouver, Washington and Brownsville, Texas are the latest in CSL Plasma's expansion of its collection network in the West region. The new centers reflect CSL Plasma and CSL Behring's commitment to meeting the increasing global demand for plasma and providing quality therapies to the rare disease community.  CSL Plasma operates 82 plasma centers in the United States and 8 in Germany.

CSL Plasma Senior Vice President and General Manager, Randy Furby, says, "Plasma that is donated in the collection centers is used to make therapies that replace missing or deficient proteins that cause rare diseases such as hemophilia, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema and inherited respiratory disease. We view our donors as heroes because without their contribution, CSL Behring would not be able to provide the lifesaving and quality of life-enhancing products that our patients rely on."

Lois Lange, a great-grandmother from Idaho, has been on augmentation therapy for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency for the past four years. She is treated with a CSL Behring product, and is a CSL Behring consumer advocate. Lois says she's one of the lucky ones because she doesn't have to rely on an oxygen tank, or be in and out of the hospital with bronchitis and pneumonia.

"Thank God for plasma donors! Without them it would be a lost cause. My condition is stabilized and I can live life to the fullest, which includes not only getting to see my grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up, but being able to stay active and do things with them. Life is good, and donors have a lot to do with improving quality of life and life expectancy for people like me."

CSL Plasma is holding a variety of activities in its centers nationwide during IPAW to promote greater understanding and appreciation among patients, employees and donors. CSL Plasma staff is personally thanking donors in the centers for their time, and emphasizing the impact their donations have on patients' lives. Other activities focus on educating community and civic leaders about donors and the economic impact of a plasma center on the community. CSL Plasma's new center in Vancouver is expected to infuse between $5 and $6 million directly into the local economy in wages and donor compensation.

About CSL Behring
CSL Behring is a leader in the plasma protein therapeutics industry. Committed to saving lives and improving the quality of life for people with rare and serious diseases, the company manufactures and markets a range of plasma-derived and recombinant therapies worldwide.

CSL Behring therapies are used around the world to treat coagulation disorders including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema and inherited respiratory disease, and neurological disorders in certain markets. The company's products are also used in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic diseases in the newborn.

CSL Behring operates one of the world's largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. CSL Behring is a global biopharmaceutical company and a member of the CSL Group of companies. The parent company, CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, visit http://www.cslbehring.com/.

SOURCE CSL Plasma