5 things you may not know about the power of plasma

(BPT) - You’ve heard all the stories about the importance of donating blood, but you might not be as familiar with the other lifesaving substance flowing through your veins — plasma. While the world is focused on the important issue of a blood donor shortage, there’s an equally critical need for plasma donors as a result of the pandemic. The shortage of plasma could impact many people who rely on these lifesaving plasma-based therapies. Your help makes the difference in someone’s life by donating plasma.

Below are 5 frequently asked questions about plasma.

1) What is plasma? Plasma is the fluid component of human blood. It supports essential bodily functions, including red blood cells, white blood cells, clotting factors and other components to fight deadly diseases. Plasma is also used to treat patients with serious diseases and conditions, like burn injury survivors, people with hemophilia, people with rare diseases and people with certain types of cancer.

2) Why is it so important to donate? A lot of plasma is needed for each patient who relies on these therapies to survive. For example, it takes 1,200 plasma donations to treat 1 patient with hemophilia per year. It can take up to a whole year to make plasma-derived medicine, so a decline in plasma donations could impact patients’ ability to access their medications.

3) Do that many people really use plasma? Yes. 125,000 Americans rely on medication made from plasma. These treatments can mean the difference between life and death for patients who suffer from a variety of chronic conditions, like primary immunodeficiency diseases and hemophilia. Without regularly receiving these medicines, patients may suffer chronic fatigue, physical damage or even death.

4) Why are we talking about this now? There is a serious shortage of plasma donors in the U.S. Shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the plasma supply decreasing by more than 20%. The supply has been declining for more than a year, and that trend doesn’t seem to be shifting. The need has never been greater for people to donate plasma.

5) Is it easy to donate? Yes. You can donate plasma twice a week since plasma is replaced within about 24 hours, whereas red cells need between 4-6 weeks to be replaced. In less than two hours, your plasma can make a lasting impact by providing lifesaving medicine for those who need it, when they need it most.

How you can help

“The pandemic has impacted all Americans, but its lingering effects on plasma donations are frightening for those who rely on plasma-derived therapies, including the tens of thousands of immunocompromised patients,” said John Boyle, a patient and health advocate who relies on plasma-based therapeutics to live a normal life. “We haven’t seen this type of plasma shortage before, and that’s why we’re calling on everyday heroes to step up and donate plasma now to help save lives.”

Plasma donation centers are available throughout the country, with more than 800 centers nationwide. Donation centers are staffed with medically trained professionals to help you through the donation process. A list of centers can be accessed at: https://www.donatingplasma.org/.

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Top paratriathlete encourages everyone to take care of their eyes: Here's how

(BPT) - As one of the world’s top paratriathletes, Amy Dixon is always looking forward. Even though an autoimmune disorder has taken away most of her ability to see, she has extraordinary vision for reaching her goals.

This summer, she competes in Tokyo. For Dixon, it’s an incredible journey that would have seemed unimaginable two decades earlier.

Vision troubles come to light

Dixon first noticed her vision problems as a 22-year-old college student. She struggled to see clearly in a darkened room. Driving at night, she failed to notice oncoming cars. The signs were clear that something was wrong with her eye health, but she wasn’t convinced.

“I had 20/20 vision as a kid, so I dismissed the problems I was having as being related to some other condition like migraine,” said Dixon, a migraine sufferer since she was a teen. “I was ignoring what was obvious — that something was wrong with my eyes.”

After scheduling an appointment with an ophthalmologist, Dixon learned she had uveitis, a form of inflammation inside the eye. Her doctor told her that the disease had already put her eyesight in serious jeopardy. He said that 70% of her peripheral vision had been lost and she would need to begin treatment immediately or risk going blind within 10 years.

“Unfortunately, I waited too long before having my eyes examined and uveitis had already attacked my vision. When the diagnosis sunk in, I thought I was destined to go blind,” Dixon said.

Becoming her own advocate

Rallying behind a forward-looking attitude that would become her calling card, Dixon confronted her condition head-on. Working with her doctor, she began an aggressive treatment regimen. While uveitis would eventually take 98% of her vision, the treatments succeeded in slowing down progression of the disease.

A new diagnosis and the athlete reemerges

With her uveitis in remission, Dixon received a second vision diagnosis: She now had developed glaucoma as a result of her treatment. Resilient and determined to keep her life moving forward, Dixon began treating her glaucoma.

Along the way, she reengaged in sports and took up swimming, a favorite activity for the former competitive high school swimmer. When a friend introduced her to triathlons (swimming, running and biking), she was hooked. She completed her first triathlon in 2013 and today, she is the reigning ITU Aquathlon World Champion and a seven-time ITU Triathlon Gold Medalist. When the competition in Tokyo starts in August, Dixon will race toward the finish line the same way she approaches life: by overcoming the setbacks in her path. It’s an important lesson she is eager to share.

“There is always a way forward,” said Dixon. “I encourage people to maximize the strengths they have and find creative ways to do the things they want. It may not be the way you wish for, but if you are open to learning, you can do great things.”

A prescription for better eye health

Dixon views her journey as a cautionary tale and she encourages everyone to be proactive in taking care of their eyes.

“Uveitis progressed quickly in impacting my vision because I waited too long to see a doctor and wasn’t diligent about getting my eyes examined annually,” Dixon said. “Pay attention to your eyes. If you suspect you have a vision problem, then see an eye doctor right away.”

As she continues to manage her glaucoma, she also urges people, particularly young adults, to be wary of a disease that can sneak up without symptoms and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

“A dilated eye exam could save your sight,” Dixon said. “The power is in your hands, so be your own advocate for achieving better eye health.”

If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma or are caring for someone with glaucoma, a resource is “Understanding and Living with Glaucoma.” This free booklet is published by the Glaucoma Research Foundation, with support from Aerie Pharmaceuticals. It can be downloaded or ordered (in English and Spanish) at www.glaucoma.org/booklet.

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Long COVID patients need connection and social support

"Bigdoggpinc" - I am your Eyeball Acquisition Specialist. Success in life, in anything, depends upon the number of persons that one can make himself agreeable to. #mindfulness #goingaboveandbeyond #bigdoggpinc

(BPT) - The COVID-19 pandemic has had more impact on the world than could have been imagined. One unexpected impact is the long-term symptoms some people experience for weeks or months after recovering from the disease, a syndrome called long COVID. Researchers estimate 10% to 30% of people who contract COVID-19 develop long COVID after recovering from the disease, with more women reporting lasting symptoms, according to JAMANetwork.com.

Those suffering from long COVID experience ongoing combinations of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, body aches, coughing, joint pain, chest pain, intermittent fever, difficulty concentrating, headaches and even continued loss of taste and smell. Others also report the mental impacts of prolonged symptoms, which include depression, anxiety, changes to their mood and sleep, and a mental “brain fog” that won’t lift. In all, people suffering with long COVID can have up to 200 symptoms.

Dr. Archelle Georgiou, an author and expert in consumer healthcare, said that minimizing symptoms and the people who are experiencing long COVID is another unfortunate stage in this pandemic. Understanding that long COVID is a real syndrome, should be treated by experts, and is not imagined may be a relief for some who are suffering with the ongoing effects of the virus.

While the number of infected people who will develop long-lasting symptoms is unclear, what is true is those with long COVID can be old, young, healthy or those with chronic conditions. Although many experiencing prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 do not require hospitalization, the ongoing symptoms still have a major impact on their daily lives, livelihood and, of course, health. A recent COVID Symptom Study of more than 3,700 people with long COVID in 56 countries found that more than half were not able to work full time because of their ongoing symptoms. With symptoms varying from day to day, individuals can feel isolated — alone on an unpredictable journey.

The pandemic has revealed how truly important connecting and seeking social support from your family and friends is as you go through challenging times. Suffering from ongoing symptoms of COVID-19, like any other health journey, can be difficult to endure alone. Access to information and support is a critical factor in the path to healing for those experiencing long COVID-19. There are many resources to read online, however having support from others and a sense of community are also very important. Among the places that provide resources, CaringBridge understands the importance of helping people connect with family and friends during personal health journeys and has developed a new Long COVID Support Center, to keep people up to date with the latest medical research studies, links to support groups, information on finding and accessing post COVID care centers, and advice and opportunities to connect with other users experiencing ongoing COVID-19 symptoms.

Connecting with other long COVID patients in a virtual community is an important way to stay abreast of new health information and a way to get emotional support as you navigate your health journey. Finding social support and connection is important considering those who are experiencing long COVID or long-lasting symptoms are reporting a rise in sense of isolation, according to a 2020 study.

“Research has shown listening to other people’s stories can improve both mental and physical health. Sharing your story is empowering and liberating and helps not only yourself but others through creating empathic connections and supportive audiences,” said Georgiou.

In the presence of the unknown of long COVID, love and support can be a lifeline. According to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, social support is by far the most important factor for population health outcomes, with 40% of population health outcomes being determined by social support. The power of meaningful connections is real, and the support of a community is crucial as long COVID patients continue through their health journey.

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