Bronx residents now have a new way to make a potentially life-saving difference in the community and beyond – one plasma donation at a time. This month, BioLife Plasma Services opened its doors at 925 Hunts Point Avenue, offering a convenient place for people to donate plasma – an essential component in creating therapies for people living with a range of serious health conditions.
Hundreds of thousands of people rely on medicines created from donated plasma to treat conditions such as hemophilia and immunodeficiency disorders. For many, medicines made from plasma replace proteins containing millions of antibodies that are essential for fighting disease and may be a patient’s only treatment option. Plasma is also crucial in emergency and critical care settings, helping to treat shock and burn victims.
Plasma can only be obtained through the generosity of healthy donors. As the need for medicines made from plasma continues to rise, the importance of plasma donation has never been greater – and the opening of the new BioLife Bronx center makes it easier than ever for people in the community to answer this call. Plasma donated at the center could help someone right here in the Bronx — a neighbor, a friend, or even a family member — fight an infection, manage a chronic illness, or help to recover from a traumatic injury. Donating plasma makes potentially life-saving therapies possible, touching lives both close to home and around the world.
Stepping inside the new BioLife Bronx center, donors will find a welcoming environment, designed to offer a relaxed donation experience. The center has a variety of amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and comfortable beds for donations. The center also offers support for multiple languages, including Spanish, through in-person and online translation services.
“We’re thrilled to open our doors in the Bronx community and offer residents a way to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in need of medicines made from plasma. Our compassionate team of expertly trained staff is bringing the best care and comfort to our donors. Every donor is taking time out of their busy day to help, and we’re here to make sure they feel supported and well-cared for every step of the way,” says Jennifer Brucculeri, District Manager, BioLife Plasma Services.
Plasma donation is as safe as donating whole blood.[1] The key difference lies in what is collected during the donation process. Whole blood donations collect all four blood components — red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma – which are used for transfusion directly to patients. In plasma donation, a specialized instrument collects the donor’s blood, separates and collects the plasma, and then returns the other components of the blood back to the donor’s body.
On a plasma donor’s first visit, the entire process, which includes a physical examination, medical screening, and the plasma donation itself, typically takes about two hours. Future donations are generally completed within an hour.
Because plasma donation takes longer than blood donation, donors are compensated for their time and commitment, which is standard practice across the industry. Whether for personal motivations, a desire to give back, or to receive compensation for their time and commitment, the new BioLife center in the Bronx recognizes and appreciates everyone who generously donates plasma.
The opening of the new center also adds to the growing revitalization within the Bronx community, with the creation of more than 50 job opportunities, including roles such as center managers and supervisors, quality managers, nurses, phlebotomists, receptionists, plasma technicians, and medical support specialists. The center also seeks to contribute positively to the Bronx community through community service initiatives.
BioLife Bronx is not only a plasma donation center – it’s a powerful opportunity for residents to make a real difference in the lives of others. To learn more about the donation process and schedule your appointment to make a difference today, download the BioLife app, visit BioLifePlasma.com or stop by the center.
[1] Cho, J and Hiskey, M. 2021. Plasmavigilance: Source plasma joins the call to arms. Transfusion. Volume 61, Issue 10, 2803-2805. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/trf.16668. Accessed January 2025.