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 the Montgomery, Ala. plasma center is the latest in CSL Plasma's expansion of its collection network in the East region. The new center reflects CSL Plasma and CSL Behring's commitment to meeting the increasing global demand for plasma, and to 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 contributions, CSL Behring would not be able to provide the lifesaving and quality of life-enhancing products that our patients rely on."

Pete Dyson coaches basketball at Pocono Mountain East High School in Pennsylvania. He fell in love with the sport at an early age when his grandfather took him to high school games. Pete is a hemophiliac who is treated with one of CSL Behring's products. He is also a CSL Behring consumer advocate. Pete says donors are special people, and that they are literally his "lifeblood."

"People tend to try to limit what you're able to do when you have a bleeding disorder because they want to protect you. They don't always understand that what you want most is to live a normal life.  Because of plasma donors, I'm able to live a normal life. It's incredibly liberating. Without the plasma they're willing to give, my life would be very different, like living in a bubble. I can't thank plasma donors enough."

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 centers on average 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