ANNAPOLIS, Md., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — This month,
Florida and California are recognizing “Plasma Protein Therapies
Month,” by raising awareness for the valuable contributions of
plasma donors and for the rare, genetic diseases treated with the
therapies that are made possible through plasma donation.
Plasma protein therapies, which include plasma-derived therapies
and recombinant blood clotting factors (a biotechnology product),
are used every day to treat people with bleeding disorders, such as
hemophilia, that causes painful internal bleeding and debilitating
joint damage; primary immunodeficiency diseases, which prevent a
person from fighting off even common infections; and alpha-1
antitrypsin deficiency, also known as genetic chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), a disease that severely damages the liver
and lungs. In addition, a plasma protein therapy, albumin, is used
in critical care settings, when treating severe trauma, burns and
during major surgery. While these diseases and conditions affect a
small number of individuals, patients in California, Florida and
across the world rely on these vital therapies.
Plasma, a biological material that cannot be manufactured, is
used to create lifesaving therapies that come solely from committed
plasma donors. The state of California is home to 15 plasma
collection centers and Florida is home to 20 centers. As California
and Florida celebrate the generosity of their donors and raise
awareness for the rare diseases that are treated with the therapies
during Plasma Protein Therapies Month, we encourage everyone to
thank donors who help to ensure a higher quality of life for
patients across the United States and around the world.
“Plasma-derived therapies start with dedicated donors such as
those in California and Florida and patients with rare,
life-threatening, chronic and genetic medical disorders depend on
healthy donors to commit to a lengthy screening process and a
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