Minnesotans Help Produce As Well As Benefit from Lifesaving Therapies

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, Minnesotans are recognized for their outstanding contributions to lifesaving therapies that treat critically ill individuals and for their donations of the blood component, plasma, that makes the creation of these unique therapies possible. Throughout September, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is recognizing "Plasma Protein Therapies Month" in the North Star State, helping to raise awareness for the rare, genetic diseases treated with the therapies and valuing the contributions of voluntary plasma donors in the state.

Plasma protein therapies, which include plasma-derived therapies and recombinant blood clotting factors (a biotechnology product), are used every day to treat people with hemophilia, a blood clotting disorder that causes painful internal bleeding and debilitating joint damage; primary immunodeficiency diseases, which rob a person's ability to fight even common infections; and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, also known as genetic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, a plasma protein therapy, albumin, is used in critical care settings, when treating severe trauma, burns and during major surgery.

Plasma, a biological material that cannot be manufactured, is used to create lifesaving therapies that come solely from committed plasma donors. The state of Minnesota is home to 11 plasma collection centers. As Minnesota celebrates the generosity of its donors and raises awareness for the rare diseases that are treated with the therapies during Plasma Protein Therapies Month, we encourage everyone to donate and to help ensure a higher quality of life for patients across the United States and around the world.

"Always serious and often life-threatening, patients requiring plasma protein therapies suffer from serious diseases and disorders and need access to critical therapies manufactured from high-quality plasma from dedicated donors such as those in Minnesota," said Josh Penrod, Vice President, PPTA Source. "Donors continue to be recognized and valued as a critical component in the production of these therapies."

For more information about plasma protein therapies, the diseases they treat and donating plasma, please go to www.donatingplasma.org.

The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) represents the world's leading manufacturers of plasma-derived and recombinant biological therapies, collectively known as plasma protein therapies and the collectors of source plasma. These critical therapies are infused or injected by more than 1 million people worldwide to treat a variety of rare, life threatening diseases and serious medical conditions. PPTA members produce in excess of 80 percent of the plasma protein therapies used in the United States today and more than 60 percent worldwide. PPTA is a global trade association that administers international, voluntary standards programs to help ensure the highest quality and safety of plasma protein therapies and the plasma collected to manufacture them. Additionally, PPTA works in partnership with the patient community and consumer advocates to help ensure continued access to lifesaving plasma protein therapies.