The Plasma Podcast

Summary: In this episode of the Plasma Podcast, the Marketing Operations Manager at Proesis, interviews Kris Jonas, the CEO of the company. ​ They discuss Kris's entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind starting Proesis, and the importance of fierce donor advocacy in the plasma industry. They also touch on the core values of the company and the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur.

Key Points:

• Kris shares how he started Proesis after being fired from a previous job.
• Fierce donor advocacy is a core value of Paresis, driven by Kris's personal experiences as a plasma donor and witnessing the need for improved treatment and care for donors.
• Gabby, new to the plasma industry, discusses how Proesis stands out by focusing on the donors and striving to provide a unique and positive experience.
• Kris emphasizes the importance of authenticity and being true to oneself in leadership and business.
• The challenges of entrepreneurship include balancing the need for change and innovation with the demands of running a business and meeting donor expectations.
• Kris and Gabby discuss the importance of building a team that shares the company's values and the challenges of creating a supportive environment while managing the pressures of a startup.
• They highlight the impact of stories from donors and patients, which remind them of the importance of their work and motivate them to continue improving the donor experience. ​
• The conversation touches on the interconnectedness of the company's core values and the ongoing journey of learning and growth.

Conclusion: The episode delves into the entrepreneurial journey and the significance of fierce donor advocacy in the plasma industry. It discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the importance of authenticity and core values, and the impact of stories from donors and patients. The episode highlights Proesis' commitment to providing a unique and positive experience for donors and its continuous efforts to improve the donor experience in the plasma industry.

The Courageous Fight Against Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)

This episode of the Plasma Podcast features an inspiring conversation with Keyatta Hodgson, who shares the challenging journey of her family dealing with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). Keyatta's story highlights the significant struggles and the heart-wrenching loss of two of her sons to CGD while advocating for awareness and the critical need for plasma donation. Listeners will learn about the impact of CGD, the importance of advocacy, and the power of community and medical support in facing rare diseases.

Introduction to Kiata Hudson's Story Understanding CGD The Impact of CGD on Kiata's Family Advocacy and Support The Vital Role of Plasma Donation

Follow Keyatta and learn more information about her foundation via Instagram @hodgsonboysfoundation

Learn More: Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)

Show Notes:

Overseen by various regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the plasma donation process is performed in a highly controlled, aseptic environment by professionally trained staff, including oversight by onsite licensed medical professionals.

Your plasma is collected in a sterile disposable closed system ensuring no contamination. In addition, highly regulated cleaning protocols ensure the process is safe.

How to Give Plasma

While each center has a specific process, it's a good idea to do these things before you donate plasma. Ask the donation center if they want you to do anything else to prepare for your visit.

Before Your Donation

Find a plasma donation center by searching online for "plasma donation near me" or on the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)

General Eligibility Requirements

Donor eligibility varies. Check with the facility to determine their specific requirements, but generally plasma donors should:

• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Weigh at least 110 pounds,
• Pass a medical exam and complete an extensive medical screening, including testing negative for hepatitis and HIV,
• Not have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last 4 months, and
• Follow a recommended diet.

Potential Side Effects

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates plasma collection in the United States. For most people, donating plasma does not cause any side effects, but some donors can experience fatigue, bruising, bleeding, or dehydration. Additionally, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. While not typical, fainting can also occur. It's rare, but more serious infections or reactions can occur, which can be treated.

If you experience severe symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. If you experience general side effects, it can help to rest, drink more water, and eat more iron-rich foods. For dizziness or fainting, lie down or sit with your head between your knees. For bleeding, raise your arm, apply pressure, then place a bandage over the area for several hours.

Studies conducted on plasma donation:

STUDY CONFIRMS THAT FREQUENCY OF SOURCE PLASMA DONATION AS REGULATED BY U.S. FDA DOES NOT IMPAIR DONOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

The effect of plasmapheresis on blood pressure in voluntary plasma donors

Prospective multicentre study of the effect of voluntary plasmapheresis on plasma cholesterol levels in donors

Podcast Guide: Understanding the U.S. Plasma Collection Regulatory Landscape

Special Guest: James Knowles, Plasma Regulatory Expert

Segment 1: U.S. Regulatory Framework for Plasma Collection

1.1 History & Background

1.2 Current Regulatory Landscape

1.3 Importance of Regulations

Segment 2: Current State of the Plasma Collection Business in the U.S.

2.1 Market Overview

· Growth of the plasma collection industry

2.2 Challenges in the Industry

2.3 Innovations & Positive Trends

Segment 3: Plasma Donor Education

3.1 The Plasma Donation Process

· Step-by-step walk-through of what a donor can expect during the donation process.

3.2 Importance of Donating Plasma

3.3 Addressing Common Misconceptions

3.4 Tips for a Safe and Successful Donation

Q&A Segment

• Commonly asked regulatory question

• visit our website at Proesisbio.com for a link to a donation center near you regardless of the brand as our aim to expand the supply of readily available plasma. So, please, donate plasma today.

A Deep Dive into Plasma Donation in the United States with Peter Jaworski

Episode Title: Balancing Act: Unraveling the Ethics of Plasma Donation

1. Peter's Background:
   1. Polish by way of Canada (Peter's immigration story)
   2. Business ethics at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business
   3. Ethics and the economics of the global plasma industry
   4. Stolen from LinkedIn: He has published in Ethics, Philosophical Studies, The Journal of Business Ethics, The Journal of Value Inquiry, the Canadian Journal of Law and Jurisprudence, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, amongst others. He has also written for, or been cited in, popular media outlets like The Economist, NPR, Bloomberg, the Globe and Mail, the National Post, Reader's Digest, Psychology Today, USA Today, Maclean's magazine, Canadian Business, and others.
2. Understading Plasma Donation
3. Ethical Considerations of compensating plasma donors
4. International Comparison of plasma donation to the system in the United States
5. Future Predictions and Provacative Questions

Links and other key notes:

"We find that access to a plasma donation center reduces demand (inquiries) for payday and installment loans by 6.5% and 8.1%, respectively, with larger efects (13.1% and 15.7%, respectively) on younger borrowers." Blood Money: The Financial Implications of Plasma Sales for Individuals and Non-Bank Lenders

Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID)

Proposal for a Regulation on substances of human origin (aka SoHO Regulation)

Episode 6 – Interview with Megan Anne Ryan; Patient and Patient Advocate

We have a special guest in honor of Rare Disease Day in today's episode. Megan Anne Ryan shares her authentic patient perspective and serves as a voice for patients worldwide. She is a proud native Texan who was diagnosed with a Primary Immune Deficiency, specifically Common Variable Immune Deficiency, in her twenties. Megan goes on to discuss the diagnostic odyssey which is all too often lengthy and challenging for patients. Her unique perspective serves to shed light on the importance of plasma donors and the staff involved in plasma collection.

Advocacy Work

Megan served as the Board Treasurer for the Jose Antonio Grifols Lucas I Foundation and has further expanded her reach to the organization Undies for Everyone.

Show Notes:

Guests:

Colin McGrath

Jesse Cardon

In this episode, we dive into the stigma of plasma donation and why we have work to do in this space. We also address the question, "how do we do a better job of dignifying the process for the donor?" Colin and Jesse have extensive plasma industry experience, much of it in a collection center which they detail during the discussion.

Colin claims to be able to throw a football 75 yards with a perfect spiral, and Jesse speaks about his political ambitions.

*Note: there are some minor audio issues initially, but they get better along the way.

Show Notes:

In today's episode, we interview Dr. Myiesha Taylor. Dr. Taylor is an author and Emergency Medicine Physician, and Medical Director for several plasma collection centers. We explore the industry's current status, discuss what it means to be "Fierce Donor Advocates," and learn more about the role race plays in the medical community.

Guest: Dr. Myiesha Taylor

Dr. Taylor Intro

1. Emergency Medicine Physician
2. Founder of the Artemis Medical Society which supports and mentors women physicians of color around the world
3. Taylor was featured in NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt's Inspiring America segment
4. She was selected as a 2014 Dallas Women's Foundation Young Leader Award honoree
5. She was featured in three Disney Junior Get Inspired Black History Month interstitials
6. In 2014 she was selected to receive the Dallas Women's Foundation Maura Women Helping Women Young Leader Award
7. has also been honored as a Dallas Business Journal's 40 Under 40, D Magazine Moms Who Inspire,

1. Was named to HBCU (Historically Black College or University) Digest's Most Powerful People

Role of the Medical Director in a Source Plasma collection center.

FDA's current stance on male donors who have sex with other males.

The industry does a great job of being culturally competent and sensitive.

The inspiration behind Myiesha McStuffins is Doc McStuffin's, the famous Disney character's mother.

Guests:

Sharis Hazel – Director of Quality and Regulatory

Crystal Phillips – Regulatory Affairs Manager

Show notes:

Sharis and Crystal offer their perspective on everything from plasma donation to diversity in the workforce. They cover the role quality plays in a plasma center, including a deeper explanation of quality control versus quality assurance. As the discussion unfolds, we discuss the experiential stigma of plasma donation and how it doesn't have to be that way.

Further discussions reveal the genesis of Proesis and how the name came to be.

Organization mentions:

National Hookup of Black Women

Zeta Phi Beta

Cultural mentions:

What Are Bantu Knots? The Zulu people of southern Africa originated Bantu knots, a hairstyle where the hair is sectioned off, twisted, and wrapped in a such a way that the hair stacks upon itself to form a spiraled knot.

Episode 2 Show Notes

Katharine co-hosts our interview with Steve Raguskus – Director of Operations for Proesis Bio, as he discusses his background, the blank canvas of a start-up, and what lead him to Proesis.

We talk about the Proesis core values and the context of what they mean.

Steve discusses his take on our core values and how they relate to what we do daily using recent real-world examples. In particular, Steve focuses on his current donation experience and how that translates to our core value of "Fierce Donor Advocacy."

• Both Donors and Staff deserve a predictable experience
• The role of the Center Director of a Plasma Center in providing a positive donor and staff experience

Links:

Von Willebrand's Disease

Quotes:

"…customers will never love a company until the employees love it first." Simon Sinek