Plasma: What it is and why it’s vital for those living with Chronic Lung Diseases?

This week marks International Plasma Awareness Week, a global reminder of the incredible impact this essential, yet often overlooked, component of blood has on people living with chronic conditions worldwide.

For those managing a chronic lung disease, you know that every resource, every medication, every piece of knowledge, and every community effort is vital to living a fuller, more controlled life. Plasma donation is one such critical effort that directly supports our community.

At Respiplus and Chronic Lung Diseases, we want to shed light on this “hidden medicine” and explain exactly why the plasma found in your blood is so crucial for the health and quality of life of countless patients in the respiratory community.

Plasma Donation Chronic Lung Diseases
Plasma Donation Chronic Lung Diseases

Table of Contents

Understanding Plasma: The Liquid Gold of Life

Most people know about red blood cells, but what exactly is plasma?

What is Plasma?

Think of it as the liquid foundation of your blood. It’s a yellowish fluid that makes up about 55% of your total blood volume. Plasma is mostly water, but it carries essential components that are vital for life:

  • Proteins: Including albumin, which regulates fluid balance, and critical clotting factors.
  • Antibodies (Immunoglobulins): These are the disease-fighting proteins that protect your body from infections.
  • Clotting Factors: Essential for stopping bleeding.

It acts as a transport system, carrying nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.

It is these plasma proteins, meticulously extracted, purified, and manufactured, that become the life-saving Plasma-Derived Therapies (PDTs) used to treat a wide range of rare and chronic diseases.

plasma donation
Source: Plasma Collection and Manufacturing (PPTA Global)

The Life-Saving Lung Connection

For the Chronic Lung Disease community, plasma is not just a general medicine. It is a specific, non-negotiable component of treatment for certain respiratory conditions.

The two most prominent connections are:

a) Treatment for Alpha-1

This is the most direct link between plasma and chronic lung disease. Alpha-1 (Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency) is a genetic condition that predisposes individuals to develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Pulmonary Fibrosis.

  • The Problem: People with Alpha-1 don’t produce enough (o any) of the protective Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) protein. Without it, the lungs are highly vulnerable to damage from inflammation and environmental factors, leading to progressive lung disease.
  • The Solution: The standard treatment is AAT Augmentation Therapy (or replacement therapy). This medicine is produced by pooling and purifying AAT from thousands of plasma donations. The plasma-derived AAT is infused into the patient to replenish the missing protein, slowing the progression of lung damage.

b) Immune Protection via Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIg/SCIg)

Patients managing severe or chronic lung conditions sometimes develop secondary immunodeficiencies (a weakened immune system) that make them highly susceptible to severe, recurrent lung infections.

  • The Treatment: Immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy, which are antibodies derived from plasma, can be administered to these patients. This boosts their immune defenses, helping them fight off bacterial and viral lung infections that could otherwise lead to dangerous hospitalizations.

Plasma Saves Lives: What This Means for You

As we highlighted in our recent podcast, Plasma: The Hidden Medicine That Saves Lives, the need for plasma is constant. Every plasma donation in Canada contributes directly to the supply chain that makes these vital therapies possible.

  • Improved Quality of Life: These plasma-derived therapies allow thousands of patients to breathe easier, reduce their risk of dangerous exacerbations, and maintain a healthier, more active lifestyle.
  • Reduced Healthcare Burden: By helping patients manage their chronic conditions more effectively, these treatments reduce the need for emergency room visits and hospital admissions, easing the burden on the healthcare system.

Be a Part of the Solution

International Plasma Awareness Week is the perfect time to recognize that community action directly supports chronic lung health. The need is global, and the impact is personal.

Whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional looking for evidence-based information, we encourage you to:

  1. Learn More: Visit our colleagues at the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) and Plasma Awareness Week to understand the impact of these essential therapies.
  2. Listen to Our Podcast: Deepen your knowledge on this topic by listening to our latest episode: Plasma: The Hidden Medicine That Saves Lives – Alpha-1.
  3. Consider Donating: If you are eligible, consider donating plasma. You could be giving a patient with Alpha-1 or a severe lung condition the gift of better health and easier breathing.

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