PEORIA, Ill. — With plasma in high demand as science fervently seeks to find a cure or vaccine for COVID-19, donation locations are starting to sprout all over the world.
Blood banks in the Peoria area like Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and the American Red Cross have been accepting plasma donations and, coming Tuesday, May 12 will be a specialized plasma center in the form of Melbourne, Australia-headquartered CSL Plasma.
The Peoria location at 4125 Sheridan Rd. will be one of 249 CSL locations worldwide, all of which have seen a heavy amount of activity since the pandemic began, according to Senior Medical Director Dr. Toby Simon.
“Plasma is vital in the fight against COVID-19 because the products we make from plasma are used for acutely-ill patients, in general, such as albumin and clotting factors,” he said.
“In addition, we’ve joined with several other companies in an alliance to make a specific plasma product that will have a high concentration of the antibody to the COVID-19 virus that could be used either as treatment or prevention.”
Simon said the first visit for anyone wishing to give plasma will be longer than any blood donation or subsequent plasma visits.
He said there’s a questionnaire and health assessment, including an abridged physical examination.
A first donation is then taken, but for that sample to be used, a second donation must be given 48 hours after the first one, at the very soonest.
After plasma is taken, donors are given 500 milliliters of saline to replenish blood volume.
Simon said men and women between the ages of 18 and 64 in generally good health can give plasma, with restrictions on people who have gotten tattoos or piercings within four months of the donation date.
He said people on blood pressure, diabetes, or depression medication are still eligible to be donors.
Like blood donors, plasma donors are advised to eat a hearty meal and to get good rest ahead of the donation.
Donors with CSL will be able to earn up to $400 per month.
