The US is currently topping up New Zealand's supplies of a vital blood product, but if we had more plasma donors we could be self-sufficient
Photo: NZ Blood Service
Demand for life-saving plasma is growing at such a rate that New Zealand is falling further and further behind on its supplies, forcing it to pay millions of dollars every year for immunoglobulin from America, one of the few countries that pays people to donate.
Plasma is the yellow liquid component of blood that is needed to help the body recover from injury, distribute nutrients, remove waste and prevent infection. It is used to treat up to 50 illnesses, including cancer and autoimmune diseases.
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