Courtesy of Kedplasma Somerset Labs

If you have Rh-negative blood, you may already know that you are among a select group of people. You may also know that for pregnant women, being Rh-negative can threaten the lives of their unborn children.

Many women have learned that a disease called hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) can occur when an Rh-negative mother’s immune system produces antibodies that attach to the red blood cells of her Rh-positive baby. The resulting loss or serious illness of the child is understandably devastating to the mother and her family.

Here in Western New York, KEDPLASMA Somerset Labs plays a major role in screening and collecting blood plasma from Rh-negative donors, enabling the production of a life-preserving therapy. This breakthrough product is injected into the mother during her pregnancy to prevent HDN. Thanks to dedicated plasma donors, millions of Rh-negative mothers and their babies have been protected against HDN.

Imagine preventing the devastation and pain of losing a baby by taking about an hour of your time to donate. If you qualify, you can donate plasma up to twice a week to protect numerous babies with each donation. If you would like to donate plasma to the Anti-D Program, you must be Rh-negative, in good health, and aged 18 to 66. If you do not know your blood type or Rh-factor, come in for a no-cost screening to determine your eligibility. Women must be postmenopausal or surgically sterile by tubal ligation or hysterectomy.

Anti-D Program donors are compensated, and also receive rewards for their donations in the form of gift cards. Learn more at https://www.kedplasma.us/specialty-plasma-donation-programs, or call 716-631-1281.