Plasma donation expands to six new cities
Towards the end of the year, plasma can be donated not only in Vantaa but also in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Espoo, Kuopio and Oulu. The Finnish Red Cross Blood Service is increasing plasma donation to better safeguard the availability of vital medicines made from plasma in Finland and Europe.
Plasma is needed to treat serious diseases
Plasma is a component of blood that is used to manufacture medicines for the treatment of many serious diseases. For example, for patients suffering from severe antibody deficiencies, medicines made from plasma are the only treatment option. Antibody medicines, or immunoglobulins, are also used to support new cancer treatments.
Plasma-derived medicinal products are not manufactured in Finland, so the plasma collected by the Blood Service is sent to Europe for the manufacture of medicines. The Blood Service’s current contractual partner is Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG.
Europe needs to collect more of its own plasma
Currently, not enough plasma is collected in Europe to meet the region’s own needs. Around 30 per cent of the plasma material used in Europe is collected in the United States. Dependence on plasma imported from elsewhere increases the risk of disruptions to the availability of medicines.
“Expanding plasma donation is an important step. The more plasma we can collect in Finland and across Europe, the better we can do our part to safeguard the availability of medicines made from plasma for patients,” says Johanna Castrén, Director of Blood Donation at the Blood Service.
Donors with AB+ and B+ blood groups are invited to participate
The Blood Service guides donors by blood group according to patient and product needs. Therefore, donors with AB+ and B+ blood groups are particularly sought as plasma donors.
The same eligibility requirements apply to plasma donation as to blood donation. However, deferral periods related to travel and living abroad, for example, do not prevent plasma donation.
Plasma can be donated by a person who has donated blood at least once before. Plasma donors must weigh at least 60 kilograms and have a body mass index (BMI) of no more than 40.
Appointments in the new locations by phone
Plasma donation will begin in the different locations as follows:
- Mon 9 Nov Helsinki
- Mon 16 Nov Turku
- Thu 19 Nov Espoo
- Thu 26 Nov Kuopio
- Wed 2 Dec Oulu
The schedule for plasma donation in Tampere will be confirmed during November–December. Plasma donation in Vantaa will continue as before.
Appointments for plasma donation in the new locations are booked by phone via the Blood Service’s free donor info number, 0800 05801 (open Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.).
In Vantaa, appointments for plasma donation will continue to be booked as before via the Blood Service website.
