Editor’s Note: This is the final story of a three-part series about bodily donations.

Blood is not the only thing a person can donate to help save lives.

Plasma, the liquid part of blood, also is a valuable commodity.

Evin Bail is one plasma recipient who was saved by a donation.

She was 12 years old when she was diagnosed with an immune system disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), which causes the platelets of the blood to be attacked and destroyed, according to her BioLife donor profile at www.biolifeplasma.com.

Platelets are cells that help blood to clot so a person doesn’t bleed to death when injured.

About half of all ITP causes are unknown, according to a Web site sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, www.niddk.nih.gov. In some instances, ITP has been caused by drugs, infection, pregnancy or other immune disorders.

After having severe reactions to her primary treatment, Bail was offered an alternative treatment called Gammagard, a plasma-based product made by Baxter Healthcare Corporation, according to her profile.

“Gammagard has supplemented my immune system with what it needs to be healthy,” said Bail in her profile. “The overall effect of my infusions is that I have a safe platelet count and a stronger immune system. Yes, this means I can rollerblade, ice skate and do all the things I never could before.”

Of the different blood types people may have, those with AB blood type make up only 3 to 4 percent of the population, according to the Life Source Web site, www.lifesource.org. Plasma is a constant necessity among those patients.

AB blood type is known as the “universal plasma donor.” Unlike other blood donations, any blood type can be transfused with plasma.

To donate plasma, you must be at least 17 years old, according to Life Source. You also must weigh at least 125 pounds and be generally healthy.

At BioLife in DeKalb, the requirements differ. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and weigh at least 110 pounds, said Frank Antonetti, assistant manager at BioLife.

The process for donating plasma is very similar to donating blood, Antonetti said. Blood is drawn from the donor’s arm as usual. Then the blood flows into a cell-separating machine that separates and removes the plasma portion of your blood.

The remaining red blood cells and platelets are returned to your bloodstream through the same line, Antonetti said. The process only takes about 45 minutes.

Sterile and disposable collection materials are used for the process. The disposable equipment is thrown away after each donation and replaced with new materials for the next donor, according to a BioLife Plasma Services press release.

Donors are allowed to donate plasma twice a week, Antonetti said. They are paid $20 for the first donation in a week, and $30 for the second. Because special equipment is needed for plasma donations, few donor centers in the area offer the procedure.

BioLife Plasma Services in DeKalb specializes in plasma donations and is open Monday through Saturday.

The DeKalb branch of BioLife had its grand opening on April 4. It is the first plasma collection center in Illinois, according to a press release.

The press release stated that plasma donations help to treat people with hemophilia and immune deficiencies, as well as trauma and burn victims.

Plasma, unlike blood as a whole, is mostly used for immunizations, Antonetti said.

“The ability to carry on a healthy, happy life and my being one of many who receive products made from donated plasma is not a coincidence,” Bail said. “My health is the direct result of the generosity of others.”

Many people have been dedicated donors at BioLife centers all across the United States. Some of the donors and their stories can be found at biolifeplasma.com under donor profiles.