Your donation gives hope.

“I would like to think of myself as a ‘lifesaver’ and hopefully my plasma has prolonged the lives of others, so their families didn’t have to go through an unfortunate time.” 

Mike first started donating plasma to earn extra income while moving his family to Iowa as the holidays approached. He began donating at Octapharma in June of 2010. 

A New Purpose Beyond Financial Need

Since the start of his plasma journey, a lot has changed for Mike and his family. His kids have graduated college and moved out on their own, and Mike can honestly say he doesn’t donate for the money anymore. Originally, he was in a race with a friend to reach 1,000 donations. Unfortunately, his friend became ill and was no longer able to donate. However, when Mike was at donation 700, it really became a goal of his to hit 1,000 donations at Octapharma in Des Moines. 

Personal Connections

There are two main reasons that Mike continues to donate twice a week. The first reason is knowing that he is doing good for so many other people around the world.  The second reason is all the employees and the other donors he has gotten to know during these 14 years. 

Mike has seen a lot of people come and go and has even spent more hours there than some of the newer staff but seeing them weekly makes him feel as though they are a part of his extended family.  

Mike’s wife is a liver transplant recipient, which she received on June 2, 1997. Although they did not meet until 2004, he knows she’s been the recipient of plasma also. This keeps him going – knowing he is making a difference in people’s lives. 

Milestones Ahead

Mike will continue to donate, twice a week for as long as he can. He is currently almost at over 1,300 donations!  

Join Mike and other incredible donors in making a difference. Transform your life and the lives of plasma recipients by becoming a donor today.  Find a center near you to begin donating! 

“Not only does donating plasma help me make my family’s life better, I know my donation is helping someone, somewhere, somehow. Just start donating, and you’ll see what I mean.”
– Maurice, loyal Octapharma Plasma donor

Diversity across our donor family is what makes Octapharma Plasma unique. Not only do our donors represent a multitude of backgrounds, ages, and occupations, but each of them also possesses a unique reason for spending time at Octapharma Plasma and giving back to the thousands of patients in need.

Maurice is a dedicated family-man.

As a proud father and grandfather, nothing is more important to him than making memories with his loved ones. In fact, Maurice paid for his family reunion using solely his Octapharma Plasma compensation.

For more than a decade, Maurice has been donating plasma at Octapharma twice per week and has cultivated lasting friendships with staff, like Sonny, who he has proudly watched grow from an entry-level employee to a center director over the years. Despite having thousands of dollars saved in his account, Maurice is committed to saving his earnings for only the most special occasions in life, like celebrating family.

Maurice’s reunion brought dozens of family members together to enjoy good food, dance, and share stories of what makes their family special. “It was a day I will always remember, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Octapharma Plasma. My family will always have this memory to hold on to, and to me, that’s priceless,” Maurice shared.

The compensation Octapharma Plasma provides its donors for their time has the distinct ability to power invaluable memories and experiences, enhancing the life of all donors and saving the lives of patients in need. Speaking on the duality of plasma donation, Maurice reflected, “Not only does donating plasma help me make my family’s life better, I know my donation is helping someone, somewhere, somehow. Just start donating, and you’ll see what I mean.”

Donating to save up for life’s precious family moments, while giving patients the opportunity to experience their own, that’s Plasmagic.

In a world where small acts of kindness can make a huge impact, Karin’s story stands out as a testament to the power of loyalty and community. Her journey with plasma donation is not just about the act itself, but about the connections she has made and the lives she has touched.  Karin’s unwavering commitment to donating plasma, its impact on her life, and the ripple effect of her dedication on those around her inspires others to act.

Loyalty

Karin began donating plasma during her college years but paused after graduation. When her husband faced unexpected business repair costs, she resumed donating to help out. Remembering how simple the process was, she decided to make it a weekly commitment. Since 2010, Karin has been a consistent donor at Octapharma Plasma. She is now among the top active donors, having surpassed 1,400 donations in 2024!

Beyond the altruistic impact she makes, it’s the people at Octapharma Plasma that draw her back time and again. The exceptional donor experience and the strong sense of community are key reasons for her unwavering loyalty.

“Going somewhere else does not fit in my equation at all,” she stated. “It’s nice when you feel like you are a part of something. I feel attached to many of the employees there. I know them well. The management knows me when I come in. They come out of their offices to say hello and of course the phlebotomists; I honestly think I would miss them. I feel like we are friends.”

Donating to create lasting family memories

She has provided many memories for her family over the years including two road trip vacations across the United States – all made possible by donating plasma. “Now that two of my kids are out of the nest, I’ll cherish those memories forever,” said Karin.

Karin’s daughter had the privilege to march in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Karin used the funds she earned from donating to make it a family trip. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime for her. As a family, we always believe in showing up for each other. It was awesome just to be there to support her,” said Karin.

Inspiring Others

As a dedicated donor and advocate, Karin inspired her family and friends to follow her lead. Her oldest children have become donors, and Karin often donates during her lunch break, sparking curiosity among her co-workers about the process. Karin has even encouraged her neighbors to become donors.

For Karin, a former journalist turned higher education administrator, donating plasma became more than just a routine—it was a source of inspiration and rejuvenation. Amidst the demands of her career, family, and personal life, plasma donation provided her with a precious opportunity for “me time.” When she resumed donating, she was balancing the responsibilities of raising three small children. Her visits to the center became a cherished hour of relaxation and decompression, demonstrating how even small acts of giving can offer profound personal benefits from donating plasma and inspire others to find their own moments of peace and purpose.

Advocating for the greater good

Donating plasma has done more for Karin besides providing another revenue stream. It gave her discipline and a sense of pride by positively impacting lives around the world. She said, “When I think about the grand scope of things, how many people I have helped over the last 13 years, I just let my imagination run wild. I like to think that I helped a lot.”

Join Karin and other incredible donors in making a difference. Transform your life and the lives of plasma recipients by becoming a donor today.  Find a plasma donation center near you to begin donating!

Whenever Erika, an assistant manager at an Octapharma Plasma center, speaks with donors as they donate plasma, she shares her mother’s story to remind them of their life-saving act.

“My mom is funny, and sarcastic,” said Erika. “But when she gets sick, she is none of these things. She loses hope.”

In 2015, her mother, Guadalupe, began experiencing tingling in her hands. The sensation spread to her feet, arms, knees, and ultimately, a distinct numbness set in. Doctors began to search for the source of Guadalupe’s sudden health issues, and so began a long process of extensive bloodwork and testing.

As Erika helped her mother navigate the challenges of her mystery illness, she began working at Octapharma Plasma as a medical screener. She was eager to learn about plasma’s impact on patients’ lives and to support the development of plasma therapies.

Plasma is critically important to the medical community and its supply relies on human donations. The clear, golden-colored liquid helps treat patients who suffer from a variety of conditions. In her new role at Octapharma Plasma, it didn’t take long for Erika to realize that plasma therapies are in high demand and could one day impact those closest to her.

In 2016, Guadalupe was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Erika remembers the day her mother became paralyzed, which happened shortly after her diagnosis. She and her family watched helplessly as her once-independent mom lost any sense of movement. All hope for their mother’s health was shattered in a matter of hours.

Doctors quickly suggested plasma therapy as a viable treatment. This involved removing blood from the body, separating the plasma, and replacing it with donor plasma, which reduces the number of harmful antibodies in the body. The process meant several sessions of plasma exchange. Although it was time- consuming, Guadalupe was determined to see it through.

And as the treatment plan evolved, a beautiful connection between mother and daughter emerged.

One day, as Guadalupe was laying in her hospital bed receiving treatment, she noticed the box for her medication on her bedside table: Octapharma, the label read. She immediately recognized the brand as Erika’s employer and was awestruck. Her daughter had been directly involved in collecting the plasma needed to treat her rare condition. It was an unbelievable connection Erika describes as “fate.”

Erika watched her mother’s progress throughout therapy with a newfound sense of pride. She regained strength, mobility, and her familiar sassy, independent attitude. Guadalupe keeps the Octapharma boxes following each therapy session – a memento of pride for her daughter’s career.

Erika believes working within the plasma industry is her life’s calling. As she educates donors, she expresses gratitude, because for Erika, donors give her the greatest gift of all. “To everyone who donates at Octapharma Plasma, thank you. You give me the gift of seeing my mother at her best.”

To give hope to families like Erika’s, visit your local Octapharma Plasma center and donate.