Plasma Awareness Week is October 4 to 8, making it a great time to consider donating plasma, which can save lives. Plasma collection in the U.S. fell by about 20 percent last year. Plasma is what is used in IVIG, which many Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) patients rely on. Coincidentally, PANS PANDAS Awareness Day is October 9.

According to ASPIRE, a group whose aim is to improve the lives of children and adults affected by PANS, PANDAS and related encephalopathies, “The impact of donation is simple; it improves and saves the lives of PANS patients and people with primary immunodeficiency, CIDP and other rare diseases across the world.”

Join ASPIRE in donating plasma today to help minimize the shortage affecting PANS patients across the country. Commit to donating plasma twice in six months and lead a Plasma Donation Campaign in the local area. Aspire.care has all the information needed on donating plasma, including links to find local donation centers. Since most centers only have between three and seven plasma machines, they are not able to do a big drive on just one day.

Please note that donors must donate two times within six months, and must pass specific health requirements to be allowed to donate; each center has its own eligibility requirements.
For more information, visit Aspire.care/get-involved/donate-plasma-today and find local centers at DonatingPlasma.org.