There is a national plasma shortage. Given this, the company making my tolerated brand of IVIG is back ordered. Treatment has been suspended and I may need to test an alternative treatment as most alternatives brands are also back ordered. Patients all over the U.S. are starting to receive similar calls. Seriously, did I walk into a mirror universe or wake up in a futuristic movie? The knowledge is surreal and I learned about it in a cancellation phone call from the infusion center.

What I know: It takes six months to make a dose, of immunoglobulin and plasma donation from 1,000 to 10,000 healthy donors per batch. Plasma is used to create a variety of life saving treatments and therapies for people with rare and chronic diseases and disorders such as primary immunodeficiency, hemophilia, cancer, genetic lung disease as well as treat traumas such as burns and shock.

Of qualifying donors only a small percentage give blood or source plasma. I would venture to guess many have simply never considered it. I never thought to ask for donations when I started receiving biological therapy. Donating plasma is not the same as donating blood. You must go to a certified plasma center and it may take up to two hours; however, side effects are relatively mild, dizziness and fatigue. This is typically countered by replacement fluids given intravenously at the time of donation.

As we have increased knowledge of the potential benefits from biological medicine, supply simply cannot keep up with demand. If you can donate plasma and/ or raise awareness for the need of new donors please do. I understand this to be the first time we have faced this level of shortage, despite seeing year over year growth in donors the last couple years.

Conversation on this topic should be had in a larger forum in order to raise awareness and in turn seek ongoing commitment from eligible new donors.

Thanks for reading.