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What Should I Know About Plasma Donation?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Plasma donation may not be as common as blood donation though the two procedures are fairly similar. Plasma makes up part of your blood, and the main difference in the procedure is that your red blood cells are separated from plasma by a process called plasmapheresis. When you donate plasma, some of the red blood cells are recycled back into the body after being separated from plasma.

There are some terrific things that can be done with blood plasma. It can help people who have difficulty with blood clotting, for instance. Much of the blood plasma collected may be used by pharmaceutical companies, and when you make a plasma donation, you usually don’t get to determine how your plasma is used. Another difference is that many people are paid for plasma donation, which is usually not the case with blood donation. Compensation isn’t huge, but it can amount to about $15-25 US Dollars (USD) per donation. Not all collectors pay, and some organizations like the American Red Cross, urge you to donate without pay.

Someone who wants to donate plasma should have no history of illegal drug use.
Someone who wants to donate plasma should have no history of illegal drug use.

Collection centers screen for certain types of things. If you have recently traveled to a foreign country, are promiscuous, or use intravenous drugs, you have the potential for passing on disease to others. Do not lie about these behaviors since your plasma used in another person could have potentially fatal consequences. Collection centers will also look at your health, weight, behavior, any prescription meds you might take, and they will probably test your blood for anemia. Some centers also screen for high blood sugar content.

A person's weight will be taken prior to plasma donation.
A person's weight will be taken prior to plasma donation.

Some people participate in plasma donation twice a week, and theoretically if you are very healthy, your plasma should be fully restored within 48 hours after a donation. However, organizations like the Red Cross will only let you donate once a month or twelve times yearly. Other collection centers will let people donate twice weekly, but this may not be in your best health interests. There is some evidence that regular weekly plasma donation may affect health, energy and immunity. Getting $25 twice a week may not be worth it if you get sick or feel run down.

A person's temperature will be taken prior to plasma donation.
A person's temperature will be taken prior to plasma donation.

When you give a plasma donation, most centers say the total process may take up to two hours. People who donate frequently may be in and out of a center in about 45 minutes to an hour. You will need to snack after you give a donation and most centers have cookies and juice available. Bring something to read with you, and don’t forget to use the bathroom before you give plasma because you can’t stop the process in the middle.

A person should eat a snack following a plasma donation.
A person should eat a snack following a plasma donation.

Some people view plasma donation as something only people who are desperate do, but this is not the case. There are a lot of students who donate plasma, and some people will donate plasma to help ailing family members who need it. If you are considering plasma donation as an income source, do be aware you can only make a limited amount of income and many plasma centers have much looser restrictions than does the Red Cross. Ability to donate more frequently is not always in the best interest of donors.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon315637

I got rejected at one location from Talecris Plasma Resources, Inc. Could I go to another one of there location and try again or will they know the other place rejected me?

I ask because I need the money and I was rejected for having type I diabetes. Does it make that big of a difference? I just don't want anyone getting hurt. I know how to maintain my blood sugar. Any info on this would help.

anon51643

when donating plasma i noticed an older women donating plasma that looked a strawberry shake. why did it look like this?

anon33426

Is there a way to report a nurse if they didn't check for a vein before inserting the needle? Cause towards the end of the Saline/last return cycle I was experiencing some bad pain and can't remember the word for what was going on. But the vein was pretty stiff at first.

ctrb2009

i have never donated plasma before & i'm a little nervous. will they let you donate plasma if you are under the influence of drugs? also i have used drugs intravenously not in over 6 months or more will that make a difference whether i get to donate or not?

prince956

what does it mean when they tell you that a test called alpha a is abnormal?

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    • Someone who wants to donate plasma should have no history of illegal drug use.
      By: geniuskp
      Someone who wants to donate plasma should have no history of illegal drug use.
    • A person's weight will be taken prior to plasma donation.
      By: jovannig
      A person's weight will be taken prior to plasma donation.
    • A person's temperature will be taken prior to plasma donation.
      By: Vasily Merkushev
      A person's temperature will be taken prior to plasma donation.
    • A person should eat a snack following a plasma donation.
      By: sarahdoow
      A person should eat a snack following a plasma donation.
    • A bag of blood plasma.
      By: dazzi-b
      A bag of blood plasma.
    • Plasma donors are compensated for their time.
      By: Nicu MIRCEA
      Plasma donors are compensated for their time.
    • During a blood plasma donation, blood is taken from the donor and the plasma is then separated from the rest of the blood.
      By: kasto
      During a blood plasma donation, blood is taken from the donor and the plasma is then separated from the rest of the blood.
    • In plasma donation the red blood cells are separated from the plasma by a process called plasmapheresis.
      By: Dmitry Sunagatov
      In plasma donation the red blood cells are separated from the plasma by a process called plasmapheresis.