I am O negative (universal donor) and gave blood regularly until diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2012. Now my health depends on monthly IvGG infusions made from the plasma of countless plasma donors as the chemo protocol and rituxin therapy to push me into remission did a number on my immune system. Thank you for sharing this information. I am in your debt. Btw, Meg, I live about 1/4 mile from MacDowell. Please, please submit your application when the window opens again. It would be so great if you got a spot. Nubanusit Brook and MacDowell Lake are but a short stroll.
I am reading a review copy this book right now and am absolutely riveted! As a former plasma seller I nodded along with every single description of the process and am fascinated and repelled by the underlying profiteering on the backs of so many Americans. I love that McLaughlin infuses the book with so much of her own story - knowing where the actual plasma is going makes it all so much more nuanced. Also, there is no “us and them” rich vs poor tone in this book that often occurs when writing about people who need extra money - I so appreciate this.
This was so interesting! I saw she was interviewed on AHP's newsletter but admittedly didn't read it because it came in the middle of the week... but loved this article! I'm fascinated about how common plasma donation is with LDS community and the background of social support for each other outside the government.
Also, somehow I didn't realize that plasma/blood donation is such a giant industry! I mean that seems obvious in retrospect, like what ISN'T made into corporate profit in our country, hello, but still. Really thought-provoking stuff!
Ten years and a few month ago, I was hit by CIDP, basically over-active white blood cells that attack the nerves, munching away at the myelin sheath that wraps around the nerves, like rats gnawing on wires. The treatment is an aggressive 5-day infusion of immunoglobulin — separated from plasma (IVIg) followed by IVIg every other week for about a year. Each 4-5 hour IV infusion costs ~$10,000 of which my annual OOP and co-pays was about $38,000 (because when your treatments span across a January, everything resets except the illness.)
Anyway, I thought about the cost of keeping me alive (many times concluding it wasn’t worth it ... still not sure it was, TBH) but never thought that the companies making the IVIg were raking in record profits by literally sucking the life force out of people less well-off financially than me... and then selling this treatment to me, all the while positioning it as “too expensive to keep you alive, Mr. Mclean, but we’re willing to let you in on the treatment, so you’d better be grateful.”
The more I discover about our medical system, the more rage I feel towards these corporations and the investors/boards who run them as well as the government officials who protect them. None of these people are good people. Why we need universal care, single payer and medical professionals making medical decisions... and free medical/nursing school for those who are capable and willing as well as the abolition of private medical practices and public ownership of hospitals, ambulances, EMTs and paramedics as.
Put the book on hold after AHP's interview with the author. Willing Feb. 28 to come (and my place in line for the library hold) to come faster after this interview!
1) Ah, this is making me think about donating plasma again. I did it once 15 years ago and found it so unpleasant and painful, but maybe the process has improved?
2) Have you read The Red Market? I finished it recently, I'm interested in the overlap I expect this book to have with that one. Can't wait for it to come out!
1000% going to read this book after your recommendation and reading the author's responses about her research! My dad and stepmom live in Rexburg and there was a long period of time where she donated plasma because it was one of the few opportunities to help support the family financially while also caring for children and the home!
I am O negative (universal donor) and gave blood regularly until diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2012. Now my health depends on monthly IvGG infusions made from the plasma of countless plasma donors as the chemo protocol and rituxin therapy to push me into remission did a number on my immune system. Thank you for sharing this information. I am in your debt. Btw, Meg, I live about 1/4 mile from MacDowell. Please, please submit your application when the window opens again. It would be so great if you got a spot. Nubanusit Brook and MacDowell Lake are but a short stroll.
Kathleen is the best. 💚
I am reading a review copy this book right now and am absolutely riveted! As a former plasma seller I nodded along with every single description of the process and am fascinated and repelled by the underlying profiteering on the backs of so many Americans. I love that McLaughlin infuses the book with so much of her own story - knowing where the actual plasma is going makes it all so much more nuanced. Also, there is no “us and them” rich vs poor tone in this book that often occurs when writing about people who need extra money - I so appreciate this.
This was so interesting! I saw she was interviewed on AHP's newsletter but admittedly didn't read it because it came in the middle of the week... but loved this article! I'm fascinated about how common plasma donation is with LDS community and the background of social support for each other outside the government.
Also, somehow I didn't realize that plasma/blood donation is such a giant industry! I mean that seems obvious in retrospect, like what ISN'T made into corporate profit in our country, hello, but still. Really thought-provoking stuff!
Ten years and a few month ago, I was hit by CIDP, basically over-active white blood cells that attack the nerves, munching away at the myelin sheath that wraps around the nerves, like rats gnawing on wires. The treatment is an aggressive 5-day infusion of immunoglobulin — separated from plasma (IVIg) followed by IVIg every other week for about a year. Each 4-5 hour IV infusion costs ~$10,000 of which my annual OOP and co-pays was about $38,000 (because when your treatments span across a January, everything resets except the illness.)
Anyway, I thought about the cost of keeping me alive (many times concluding it wasn’t worth it ... still not sure it was, TBH) but never thought that the companies making the IVIg were raking in record profits by literally sucking the life force out of people less well-off financially than me... and then selling this treatment to me, all the while positioning it as “too expensive to keep you alive, Mr. Mclean, but we’re willing to let you in on the treatment, so you’d better be grateful.”
The more I discover about our medical system, the more rage I feel towards these corporations and the investors/boards who run them as well as the government officials who protect them. None of these people are good people. Why we need universal care, single payer and medical professionals making medical decisions... and free medical/nursing school for those who are capable and willing as well as the abolition of private medical practices and public ownership of hospitals, ambulances, EMTs and paramedics as.
Put the book on hold after AHP's interview with the author. Willing Feb. 28 to come (and my place in line for the library hold) to come faster after this interview!
Pre-ordered from my local bookstore.
Two favs, together in one place!
1) Ah, this is making me think about donating plasma again. I did it once 15 years ago and found it so unpleasant and painful, but maybe the process has improved?
2) Have you read The Red Market? I finished it recently, I'm interested in the overlap I expect this book to have with that one. Can't wait for it to come out!
1000% going to read this book after your recommendation and reading the author's responses about her research! My dad and stepmom live in Rexburg and there was a long period of time where she donated plasma because it was one of the few opportunities to help support the family financially while also caring for children and the home!