Earn Extra Money and Save Lives by Donating Plasma

With money being as tight as it is these days, everybody is looking for a way to earn extra money. Donating plasma is a great way to make this extra money while helping to save lives at the same time. Plasma is a liquid component in blood in which the red blood cells are normally suspended. The human body naturally produces plasma much as it naturally produces red blood cells. This life saving plasma is withdrawn and separated through a process called plasmapheresis. Many types of medicines and health treatments can be derived from human plasma, including those that help burn victims.

The process of donating plasma is similar to donating blood, except it does take much longer and earns the donor extra money. Most plasma donation centers use automated plasmapheresis machines, though it is possible to be done manually. Donors sit in a "bed" - a chair with the legs raised slightly to help improve blood flow - while their blood is drawn with a needle. The automated plasmapheresis machines will then separate the red blood cells from the plasma and return the red blood cells to the donor. A little anticoagulant is mixed in to avoid any clotting issues. This continues for about an hour, sometimes more depending on certain factors, all the while the donor gets to relax and read a book or watch television. The whole process is painless and an easy way to earn extra money.

The first time a donor comes into a plasma donation center, they will have to undergo a physical and medical history evaluation. Again, this is an easy and painless process. A medical examiner will ask the new plasma donor a series of medical history questions, take a urine sample to test for protein levels among other things, check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and few other minor tests. This medical screening does add time to the first donation, but that is only a once a year screening. Returning donors do have a small screening they must undergo every time they donate, but this process only takes about ten minutes. After that it is on to the actual donation.

The pay varies depending on area and the plasma donation center, so calling ahead of time is always recommended. Donors may donate twice within a seven day period with at least one day in between plasma donations.