Plasma for Transfusion vs Source Plasma Toolkit

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood comprising about 60% of blood’s total volume. It is a blood component that is used to help treat burn patients, patients with massive blood loss, and patients with conditions needing the proteins found only in donor plasma.

In the United States, all plasma required for patients requiring one or more blood transfusions is collected at not-for-profit blood centers from altruistic, voluntary donors. Not-for-profit blood centers do not pay donors for their donations of plasma for transfusion.

Unlike plasma intended for transfusions, for-profit “source” plasma companies collect plasma that is then pooled with other plasma donations and manufactured into plasma-derived medicines used to treat autoimmune and rare chronic diseases and some acute conditions such as shock. For-profit “source plasma” centers offer monetary compensation for plasma donations.

This toolkit includes resources and examples that are designed to help blood centers communicate this important distinction.