MELBOURNE, 28 September, 2024: On a sunny day when people were gearing up for the AFL Grand Final, Sunny and many of his colleagues at the Sant Nirankari Mission’s, Melbourne chapter, donated Plasma at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Mount Waverley, with lots of smiles and a satisfaction of fulfilment for humanity. Organiser Manjit Singh told South Asia Times (SAT), 156 volunteers donated Plasma on the day, that will help save 468 lives.
It was astonishing to see so much humanity in action on a holiday. The Australian Red Cross staff made their best efforts to help the donors and keep them strong and cheerful. The ultra modern blood donation facility was full as donor volunteers kept trickling through out the day. My friend Sunny, was celebrating as this was his 57th donation. Ashie Duggal also followed in the footsteps of her father Sunny, to donate Plasma. His elder brother Manjit was helping with the logistics and their father was around for moral support. In fact, many other volunteers were getting names registered and waiting for their turn.
Chair Vivienne Nguyen, Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) and Monash Mayor Nicky Luo, and Neeraj Nanda, Editor, South Asia Times (SAT) were there to support in the great effort. The fact that each donation saves a life, so much precious to all of us.
So, what is plasma in blood? “Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. About 55% of our blood is plasma, and the remaining 45% are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that are suspended in the plasma. Plasma is about 92% water. It also contains 7% vital proteins such as albumin, gamma globulin and anti-hemophilic factor, and 1% mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones and vitamins,” says the Australian RedCross Website.
The RedCross website adds: ” In a plasma-only donation, the liquid portion of the donor’s blood is separated from the cells. Blood is drawn from one arm and sent through a high-tech machine that collects the plasma. The donor’s red blood cells and platelets are then returned to the donor along with some saline. The process is safe and only takes a few minutes longer than donating whole blood.
Donated plasma is frozen within 24 hours of being donated to preserve its valuable clotting factors. It can be stored for up to one year and thawed for transfusion to a patient when needed. Red Cross donations are often used directly for hospital patient transfusions, rather than pharmaceutical uses.”
Who should donate plasma?
The Red Cross urges people with type AB blood to consider a plasma donation. AB is the only universal plasma and can be given to patients of any blood type. This means that type AB plasma transfusions can be given immediately, without losing precious time determining if the patient’s blood type is compatible. In emergency medicine, such as caring for a major trauma or burn patient, time saved can mean the difference between life and death.
Type AB plasma donations – which the Red Cross calls “AB Elite” – can be made every 28 days, up to 13 times per year. The average donation takes one hour and 15 minutes, just a few minutes longer than donating whole blood.
