Each October, International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) brings together donors, patients, health care professionals, and advocates to recognize the lifesaving impact of plasma donation and lifesaving plasma-derived medicines. Led by the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), this global initiative highlights how donated plasma becomes essential therapies for people living with rare and chronic conditions.
This year’s celebration is October 5-9 and the theme is Plasma Powers Possibility which highlights the extraordinary impact plasma donors make in the lives of patients around the world. The tagline reflects how plasma, through lifesaving therapies, creates possibilities that would otherwise not exist: longer lives, improved health, greater independence, and hope for people living with rare and chronic conditions. It also recognizes the connection between donors, patients, health care professionals, and the broader plasma community, emphasizing that together they make these possibilities real every day.
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Plasma-derived medicines treat individuals with immune disorders, bleeding conditions, neurological diseases, and other serious medical needs. Because these medicines cannot be manufactured synthetically, they rely entirely on the generosity of plasma donors. Raising awareness about plasma donation is critical to ensuring patients continue to have reliable access to the treatments they depend on.
As part of this year’s awareness efforts, PPTA is also inviting patients, caregivers, and providers to participate in a new global patient survey exploring awareness of where plasma-derived medicines come from and understanding of plasma donation. The survey will help elevate the patient perspective and inform future education, advocacy, and awareness efforts around the lifesaving role of plasma donation. Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IPAWpatientsurvey
International Plasma Awareness Week also serves as an opportunity to recognize donors and the vital role they play in the health care system, and also the patients who play an important role in this vein-to-vein connection. Many donors give regularly, knowing their contributions can improve and even save the lives of patients around the world.
Increasing understanding about plasma donation, donor safety, and patient impact helps strengthen the entire plasma ecosystem, from donation centers to hospitals and clinics.
As we look ahead to IPAW — now just six months away — April is the perfect time to start planning how you can get involved. Whether you’re a patient advocate, health care professional, donor center, or industry partner, early preparation helps ensure your voice and activities have the greatest impact. Consider identifying stories to share, planning educational content, engaging your community on social media, and coordinating with partners who share your commitment to raising awareness about plasma and the patients who depend on it. By starting now, you’ll be ready to help amplify the message when IPAW arrives because together, we can continue to show the world how Plasma Powers Possibility.
Learn more about plasma donation and join the conversation during International Plasma Awareness Week.