The COVID-19 pandemic drove blood plasma donations down 20% in 2020 – and they declined even further in 2021.
Plasma – the yellowish liquid that makes up about 55% of our blood – is a major component in creating lifesaving therapies for burn injury survivors, people who are immune-compromised, people with hemophilia and certain cancer patients. In fact, more than 125,000 Americans rely on therapies made from plasma every day.
Take Oliver. As a toddler, Oliver developed a high fever, a swollen tongue, and a rash over his entire body. His father rushed him to the emergency room where they learned he had Kawasaki Disease – a rare condition that involves swelling of blood vessels throughout the body. He received a plasma-derived medication and recovered, but the effects of the disease would later develop into a heart condition that he still lives with today.
“That’s what drove me to continue raising awareness and money,” his father, celebrity chef Nate Appleman said, “and to understand it from a point of view most people don’t get.”
Donating plasma is a safe and easy process. Plasma can be safely donated twice a week. With a donation that typically takes between 1-3 hours, you can make a lasting impact on patients who rely on plasma for treatment.
While Oliver works on keeping his heart healthy, Appleman continues to feed others – with his culinary skills, and with the knowledge he’s gained through Oliver’s resilience.
In the spirit of Nate and Oliver’s health journey, and giving back, here’s a recipe to remember:
Ingredients
Mix ingredients together – and potentially save somebody’s life.
Learn more about plasma donation and how to become a donor by finding a center near you.
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