BLOOD BANK OF DELMARVA LAUNCHES NEW LIFESAVING DONATION PROCESS IN DOVER
Donors are able to help up to four patients with one plasma donation
Dover, DE - Blood Bank of Delmarva has launched a new plasmapheresis program at its Dover Donor Center (221 Saulsbury Road), which will yield a significant increase in its critical plasma supply. Plasmapheresis is an automated collection system which collects just plasma, the liquid portion of whole blood, and returns the red blood cells and platelets to the donor. Plasma is used to help treat a variety of diseases and conditions, such as hemophilia, severe burns, shock, and exposure to rabies.
"With plasmapheresis, donors are able to help up to four patients with just one plasma donation. Adding plasmapheresis machines at the Dover Center will enhance the inventory of plasma to more adequate levels," said Carrie Aiken, Blood Bank spokesperson. "Depending on inventory needs, donors of every blood type may be recruited to donate using this new process. However, a strong focus will be on our donors with AB blood."
Donors with AB positive or negative blood have the universal plasma type, meaning they can donate their plasma to any patient who needs it. Statistically only 3% of the population is AB positive; less than 1% (or one in every 167 people) is AB negative.
The plasmapheresis process was launched at the Blood Bank's Christiana Center three years ago. Since then, there have been 1,347 plasma donations on the automated equipment.
