How to Donate Plasma

There are millions of people in the United states suffering from bleeding disorders, burns, hepatitis, and immune disorders that desperately need blood plasma and blood plasma products to survive. Also across the country, there are people being paid well for their time for donating their plasma. This win / win situation is at the heart of a blood plasma donation system that is keeping extra money in the hands of volunteers and keeping kids and adults alive. The best part is that donating plasma is incredibly easy and relatively pain-free.

Now, no one will get rich by donating their plasma, but it is a great option to supplement an income or to help finance a special trip or purchase. When I first went to college, my first "job" was donating plasma. I was able to collect around $210 per month for just a few hours of time per week. I was actually paid to read and to study; plus, I knew I was helping save lives.

What Is the Plasma Donation Process Like?

During the plasma donation process, your blood is withdrawn from your arm through a needle and tube. The process itself is similar to donating blood. However, instead of collecting your blood, the red blood cells and plasma are separated via process called plasmapheresis. Once your blood is separated, the plasma is collected and the red blood cells are returned to your body through the same needle. The return of your red blood cells enables your body to recover much faster than it does during blood donation. In fact, at most plasma collection centers, you can donate twice per week and eight times per month.

During each draw and return cycle, a small amount of blood is drawn, processed and returned. During my time donating, I typically went through ten cycles. Depending on several factors including hydration and weight, your number of draw and return cycles will vary. After your plasma is collected, your blood is infused with saline to help replace the fluids that have been lost.

What To Expect During Your First Donation

Even before you go to donate, make sure you and your body are well prepared. Your first donation can take upwards of two or three hours. This is because of the amount of paperwork, a physical, and an interview. Before you show up, make sure that you are well nourished and well hydrated. Also, if you have any piercing or tattoos, you might need documentation that your work was done under sterile conditions. You will receive a full physical and answer a health questionnaire. You will also receive a pin-prick to your fingertip (like a diabetic) to test your plasma / platelet ratio in your blood.

If your plasma donation center is like mine, on your first trip you will be introduced to the staff, given a small tour, and shown how the plasma machines work. Then, after your physical, you will be moved to the donation room where you will be stuck with a needle by a professional phlebotomist, and your donation will begin.

What to Expect During the Donation

It can be a bit unsettling to have a large needle in your arm for an hour, but it can be even harder to watch your blood get drawn and returned over and over again. During this process, your blood is completely self-contained in a closed system, so there is no risk of infection or disease transmission. Depending on your weight, you will have a different donation amount. My donation amount was 880ml, or about one liter of plasma. That might seem like a lot, but the fluids are replaced when you are done. Just a warning: I always found that I started shivering once the saline started to flow. The saline was about 15 or 20 degrees cooler than my body temperature and I could certainly tell.

I cannot stress enough that it is absolutely necessary to be hydrated and nourished. If you are dehydrated, your plasma volume is reduced and your donation can take forever. Also, you do not want to move or mess around during your donation. You do have a large needle in your arm, and you do not want to mess that up. Finally, it is important that you do not fall asleep. If you were to jerk your body suddenly while asleep, you could hurt yourself as well. Some people do complain of dizziness or fainting when they donate, but other than the cold, I never had any side effects.

Where Does Your Plasma Go

According to the Red Cross and the American Heart Association, blood plasma and plasma products are used in the treatment of hemophelia, burns, and immune disorders. It can be frozen for up to 10 years or even dehydrated for transport. After your donation, your blood plasma is turned into life saving medicine for both children and adults. In reality, you are being paid to save lives.

If you are looking for a blood plasma donation center near you, visit the site: http://bloodbanker.com/plasma/.