BioLife Plasma opened next door to Burlington Coat Factory at 5636 N. Blackstone Ave. on Sept. 22. Photo by Ben Hensley

The Valley’s newest plasma donation center opened its doors in late September, generating donations of plasma used in the development of many life-saving types of medicine.

BioLife Plasma opened next door to Burlington Coat Factory at 5636 N. Blackstone Ave. on Sept. 22, following the renovation and remodeling of the location, which was previously occupied by Federico College.

The opening of a new center reflects the company’s goal of expanding throughout the country to meet the growing need for advanced medicines developed through plasma research.

“BioLife has been growing our network across the US, including in states where we already have centers like California, to accommodate more donors,” said BioLife District Operations Manager Timothy Lipson.

Offering donors compensation for their contributions, BioLife plasma pays back approximately $2 to 3 million annually in the form of donor compensation, with 80% of donor compensation spent in the local community.

Donations of plasma are used to create medicines for complex chronic conditions including immunodeficiency disorders.

“For many of these individuals, medicine developed from plasma is their only option for treatment,” Lipson said. “Since plasma cannot be artificially produced, it can only be sourced from healthy individuals who choose to donate.”

The medicines developed from donated plasma work to replace missing or deficient proteins, with thousands of potential donations needed to create enough annual medicine for just one individual.

Donors can make an appointment by visiting biolifeplasma.com or on a walk-in basis at their location in Fresno.

Eligible donors are required to be at least 18 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds, in addition to passing other donor eligibility criteria, including a physical examination during their first visit, as well as screening at each subsequent visit.

BioLife is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

In addition to the new location in Fresno, BioLife will also open a new center in Bakersfield in 2023.