DULUTH, Minn., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ — CSL
Plasma, one of the world’s largest collectors of human plasma,
is honoring donors from the Duluth area today as part of a
statewide observance of “Plasma Protein Therapies Month.”

According to Randy Furby, Senior Vice President and General
Manager of CSL Plasma, Plasma Protein Therapies Month is
helping raise awareness of rare genetic diseases treated with
plasma-derived therapies while recognizing the generous
contributions of plasma donors in the state,

“Every year, thousands of people around the world with rare
diseases depend upon therapies made from donated human plasma,”
Furby says. “These therapies treat people with hemophilia, von
Willebrand’s disease, immune disorders, hereditary angioedema,
Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and more.” According to the Plasma
Protein Therapeutics Association, approximately 8.5 million liters
of source plasma are donated in the US every year.  

In addition to donors, invited guests to the event which is
being held in CSL Plasma’s collection center at 106 West Superior
Street in Duluth include patients that benefit from plasma-derived
therapies and local, state and federal elected officials.

Donors to address gatheringJohn and Mary Gerszewski, who met
at the Duluth center in 2007 and married in 2008, will share their
perspective which is representative of CSL Plasma donors. John has
been donating plasma since 2005. “We know that it helps people,”
John says. “Mary and I are all about that.”  

Helping people was also the motivation for John and Mary to
expand their partnership beyond married life. The couple recently
opened the Lifetime Wellness Center in Duluth where they help
disabled and elderly clients stay fit and limber. “Hopefully we can
help people maintain their independence and remain in their homes
longer,” John said.

Bringing patients, employees and donors toget

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