A plasma collection center is opening on Saturday in Warren to obtain standard plasma from healthy donors. Plasma is the clear, straw-colored liquid portion of blood that is easily replaced by the body and can be used to treat chronic, life-threatening conditions.
BioLife Plasma Services, part of the Tokyo-based biopharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., which has its U.S. headquarters in Washington, D.C., is making its metro Detroit debut with the opening. The center is at 13710 E. 14 Mile Road.
“Now, more than ever, donors in the Warren area have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the community through plasma donation, and we are deeply committed to making treatment options available for patients who rely on plasma-derived medications,” says Antoinette Ward, manager of the BioLife Plasma Services Warren center.
“Plasma is a lifeline for thousands of people with rare, chronic, and complex diseases, and we are excited to open the first BioLife plasma collection center in the metropolitan Detroit area.”
Through a low-risk process called plasmapheresis, plasma is separated from the blood and the blood elements are returned to the donor’s body. Plasma makes up more than half of blood and consists primarily of water and proteins.
Screened plasma collected from healthy individuals is processed into a wide variety of therapeutics for people around the world with rare, life-threatening diseases such as immunodeficiency disorders, hemophilia (in which blood doesn’t clot normally), and hereditary angioedema (rapid swelling of the area beneath the skin).
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BioLife has implemented additional screening and safety measures to protect donors and employees and maintain the safety of the collected plasma.
Prospective donors can make online appointments. They must pass a physical examination at their first visit and are screened at each visit to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. Regular donations take about an hour, and all donors are compensated for their time and commitment.
The center is about 15,000 square feet and the provides access to free Wi-Fi. It is the sixth BioLife center to open in Michigan. It expects to bring about 70 jobs to the community.
