Plasma’s Critical Role in Saving Canadian Lives
Plasma contains essential plasma proteins – particularly immunoglobulins – that form the backbone of life-changing plasma therapies. By donating plasma, individuals provide the source for plasma-derived treatments that address critical-care needs.
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Quick Stat: Did you know?
Approximately 130 plasma donations are required to treat one patient with primary immunodeficiency disease for one year?
Immunoglobulins: Your Body’s Defence Antibodies
Immunoglobulins are specialized proteins that help protect the body from infections and are essential to the immune system’s function. In medicine, they are crucial for diagnosing illnesses, managing immune-related conditions and creating targeted treatments. Immunoglobulin medicines are used in the treatment of a variety of conditions. Three of the most common include:
Primary immunodeficiency (PIDD)
An estimated 29,000 Canadians live with PIDD, a group of over 400 rare and chronic genetic disorders in which the immune system is impaired, absent, or malfunctioning. This leads to a reduced ability to fight infections, making plasma-derived immunoglobulin therapies critical for long-term care and quality of life.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
GBS is an acute inflammatory disorder that affects the nerves, causing sudden muscle weakness, and in severe cases, temporary paralysis. Immunoglobulin therapy helps regulate the immune attack, often improving recovery times and long-term health outcomes.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
A rare neurological condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerves. Symptoms include weakness, numbness, and impaired mobility. Plasma-derived Ig treatments can significantly reduce inflammation and improve nerve function. CIDP affects an estimated 450,000 people worldwide.
Your Donation’s Direct Impact
Every single plasma donation collected in Canada will be used to make immunoglobulin therapies for patients in Canada. Your donation increases Canada’s self-sufficiency in immunoglobulin medicines, reducing the country's reliance on imported therapies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Why plasma is important
Immunoglobulins are specialized proteins that help protect the body from infections and are essential to the immune system’s function. In medicine, they are crucial for diagnosing illnesses, managing immune-related conditions and creating targeted treatments.
Immunoglobulin medicines are used in the treatment of a variety of conditions in Canada. Three of the most common include: Primary immunodeficiency (PIDD), Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).
Donating plasma helps the thousands of patients across Canada who rely on immunoglobulin medicines to treat chronic and sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Approximately 130 plasma donations are required to treat one patient with primary immunodeficiency disease for one year
Plasma donations directly support life-changing immunoglobulin therapies and improve the quality of life for thousands of Canadians living with chronic and rare conditions.
- Plasma and Immunoglobulin Security of Supply: Risk-Based Decision Making Analysis 2022 page 11 section 5.1
- Plasma and Immunoglobulin Security of Supply: Risk-Based Decision Making Analysis 2022 page 4 section 2.3
Plasma Donation
Learn everything about donating plasma in Canada with Grifols—from first-time eligibility and donation steps to repeat donor rewards and transparent compensation plans.