Donating Plasma: Tips and Warnings for the College Student

Plasma donation is a growing phenomenon in the college community. Donors typically earn about $50 in exchange for the time it takes to separate the plasma from the blood. There are all sorts of ethical debates about accepting money for what is essentially part of your body, but that's neither here nor there. You can read about that and the process of plasma donation in other articles. My goal here is to give you some thoughts to ponder as you make the choice to donate plasma.

Background
Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It is straw colored and can easily be replaced by your body. It is composed mostly of water and proteins and helps your body control bleeding and infection. The plasma you donate is used to make treatments for hemophiliacs as well as products to treat and prevent measles, tetanus, rubella, and hepatitis B. Plasma derived albumin can also be used to treat burns and shock.

Six Things to Know

1. It dehydrates the system. Not seriously, like where you'd end up in the hospital, but you are at a deficit after donation. Some places give you a cup of water afterward, but that's not enough. Just look over at the container of plasma they removed! So how much water should you drink? Well, chances are, you're probably already not drinking enough water, so first make the effort to increase the amount of water you drink daily. After donation, try to drink at least twice the amount of plasma they took from you throughout the course of the day. Also, being hydrated makes it easier (and faster) for you to donate.

2. Eat healthily. A conundrum in the college world, I know. Make sure you're getting the iron and protein your body needs daily, because if your albumin levels aren't right or you're anemic, guess what. You don't get to donate that day. Also, avoid eating a big, juicy double cheeseburger or greasy leftover pizza beforehand. The fat can make the plasma milky in color and make it difficult to get a reading, and you won't be able to donate for the day.

3. You will get a lot of flack from some people. There are many out there who believe that it is ethically wrong to receive money for donation of what is essentially a body part. My two roommates and I went through a lean summer a few years ago. Between the three of us, our five jobs were not enough to pay our summer bills. Having studied it in a medical ethics class, (and having a meal of two tortillas apiece--and that was all we had for the day)we made the decision that plasma donation was the best way for us to keep the lights on and food on the table until our financial aid and scholarships came in. But that was just us. You might come to a different decision. You're the only person who can make that decision. Just be prepared to defend it when you do.

4. Skip the alcohol. As you leave, they tell you to refrain from alcohol for the next 24 to 48 hours. You should heed that advice. Trust me. You could get dangerously drunk. And think about it. Your blood is at a liquid deficit. Throw a little liquor in the mix and your blood alcohol level can rise dangerously fast. And don't even try donating in the morning and drinking masses of water all day. Your body will eliminate all that it can't process at the time. Time is the key factor in replenishing your fluids. And if you must have a drink when you go out on the weekend, just don't donate on Friday. Period.

5. You will have track marks. By the end of the summer, I had needle marks on the inside of my arms. Fortunately for me, I was around a lot of people who knew what I was doing. (Except one time, my boss gave my arms a funny look until we explained our new way of making ends meet.) Just be sure to wear long sleeves if you're going on job or grad school interviews. Or to church for that matter.

6. As always, consult your health care professional if you have complications.