ANDERSON, S.C. —
Donating blood and plasma can help save lives and further medical research. But when one Upstate woman bared her veins to do her part, she says the company that collected it, didn't do theirs.
Malissa Mwakijolo has worked in the medical field for 30 years.
"I love to care for others. That's just a calling. All my life is passion for me," Mwakijolo said.
She's no stranger to donating plasma. But when she tried to donate to Kedplasma in Anderson, she said things went south.
"I don't know if I'll ever donate plasma again," she said.
Instead of watching her for a few minutes after donating, she says they sent her on her way immediately.
"Next thing I knew, I was on the pavement. The parking lot pavement," Mwakijolo said.
As she waited for an ambulance, she said she talked with a Kedplasma nurse.
"She said, 'Ma'am, you're not the first person to get injured. You're not the first person to get hurt. We don't have saline,'" Mwakijolo said.
We reached out to Kedplasma USA in Anderson, the corporate offices, and its owner, Kedrion Biopharma.
Kedplasma corporate said they are fully stocked with saline. In a statement, they said, "We at Kedplasma value our donors and take all precautions to ensure donor safety as well as the integrity of the plasma we collect. We strictly follow all FDA protocols before, during and after the collection process as well as voluntarily following up with donors post donation."
Now, Mwakijolo is dealing with fallout after the fall, unable to stand, she says, more than 30 minutes a day.
She worries she won't be able to go back to work in the medical field.
"And if being a good Samaritan and doing the right thing is possible, if it's costing me not to be able to help other people like I love to do, this is so unfair," Mwakijolo said.
We spoke with medical professionals on background. While saline is not required by the Food and Drug Administration when donating plasma, it's important to help the body adjust after the fact.
One local option we were able to confirm does use saline: The Blood Connection.