Plasma donation launched at Blood Service Helsinki
Plasma donation began at the Blood Service Helsinki centre around noon on Monday.
The first person to take a seat in the donation chair to give plasma was Jukka-Pekka Salmela.
“When I heard that plasma donation was expanding, I wanted to give it a try. My blood group is particularly well suited for plasma donation, so I thought this would be an effective way for me to help,” Salmela says.
Salmela has already donated whole blood an impressive 30 times. He first donated blood during his military service, and since then, blood donation has become a regular habit. He was pleased to hear that plasma donation is now also available in Helsinki.
“This is a really convenient location for me.”
Salmela found plasma donation quite similar to regular blood donation, although the procedure takes a little longer.
“It’s also nice that you don’t have to keep squeezing your hand the whole time. Hopefully more people will discover plasma donation too!”
Plasma is used to make medicines for many serious diseases
By the end of the year, plasma donation will be available in six new cities in Finland: Helsinki, Turku, Espoo, Kuopio, Oulu and Tampere. Plasma is a component of blood that is used to manufacture medicines for the treatment of many serious diseases, including immunoglobul
