Photo (left to right): Judy Thomas, Karin Pittsley, Liz Chase, Lori Mitcheroney, Liz Reid, Joyce Croci, Michaela Perry
On Saturday, October 5th, the MassAlpha Support Group, led by support group leaders, Karin Pittsley and Lori Mitcheroney toured the BioLife Plasma Center in Attleboro, Massachusetts. This week marks International Plasma Awareness week, acknowledging the importance of lifesaving plasma donors and the critical role that donations play in so many treatments.
The center provided education on the plasma donor process and screening, along with a tour of the facility and a question-and-answer session led by the center manager for the support group. The plasma donation process was explained, including the safety protocols that take place with each donor, the mechanics of the process, and how the machine separates and collects the plasma from the person’s blood while they are sitting in the chair.
During the tour, the group was able to meet and thank donors that were generously giving of their time and plasma to help those in desperate need. Karin so thoughtfully brought “Thank you” stickers that they gave to each donor at the center that day. “It was truly an amazing experience to look into the eyes of another human being who selflessly gives something that essentially becomes a life-saving therapy,” said Lori Mitcheroney, MassAlpha Support Group Co-Leader.
The Alpha-1 Community thanks plasma donors each and every day for giving the gift of life-saving treatments to patients, like Alphas.
