10/10/2025
💛 International Plasma Awareness Week 💛
With demand for plasma increasing by more than 10% each year, New Zealand needs more plasma donors to keep up. Plasma donations are lifechanging for those in need like Eli.
In 2021, six-year-old Eli received a lifesaving transfusion of albumin, a medicine made from donated plasma. The treatment helped stabilise inflammation in his kidneys, which was triggered by a rare auto-immune condition.
“I’ve always donated, but after Eli got sick, it became personal,” Eli’s mum Rachel says. “That transfusion helped keep him out of critical danger.”
Now 10 and thriving, Eli is in remission – but the possibility of future transfusions or even a transplant remains.
That’s why this International Plasma Awareness Week, Rachel is encouraging more people to consider donating plasma. With demand increasing by more than 10% each year, New Zealand needs more plasma donors to keep up.
“Plasma donations are lifechanging for many people in need, whether it’s Eli or someone else’s loved one,” she says. “The generous act of regularly donating can make an incredible difference, and helps ensure treatments are there when people need them most.”
