Why Is Plasma So Important?

Donating plasma is a great way to bring in extra cash while also helping others. Plasma is one of the key ingredients for products imperative for treating patients with life-threatening conditions around the world. Children and adults can be saved by you donating your plasma. Here is the basic donation process and tips for preparing to donate plasma and why it is so important to follow these tips.

Of course you have to be a fairly healthy individual. They do testing to make sure you qualify on your first visit. The visits will last somewhere in the ballpark of 90 minutes. You can bring a book, bring your computer to work, or something else to keep you occupied for that amount of time.

How The Donation Process Works:

To determine eligibility status, a staff member will perform a medical history and brief physical exam. You will need to bring proof of residency, valid ID, and proof of your social security card. After that, depending on the center, you may have to take a quick survey answering a few questions using the donor kiosk.

The process is done by machine and basically removes whole blood cells. Then it separates the red blood cells from the plasma, and the red blood cells are re-infused into the body. This whole process takes about 45-90 minutes.

Getting Paid:

Once the plasma donation process is complete, you will receive compensation. It also depends on the actual amount of plasma they get from your blood. So far I have seen anywhere between $20-$50 per donation. Sometimes more with bonuses!

You can go up to two times per week with at least two days in between donations. That can be quite a chunk of change at the end of the month. You will usually receive a refillable debit card. You have the pin number so you can actually take cash out if you prefer.

If you plan on doing this more than once a week, I would highly recommend following their suggestions for food and fluid intake. Of course, consult your private doctor with any concerns regarding your health. Here are some of the most crucial tips for preparing to donate plasma…

If you are thinking about ways you can make extra money, and donating plasma is one of them, Tips For Preparing to Donate Plasma and why it is so important

get a good nights rest
eat a meal before you go
make sure to drink 4-6 eight ounce glasses of water (or any non-caffeine type liquid) 2-3 hours before going in and donating
avoid alcohol of any kind for that 24 period before donating

Once you donate you can do the following to help rejuvenate your body:

eat a light meal or snack
drink more fluids than normal for the next 4 hours
take it easy! Especially is dizziness occurs
keep the area where the plasma was drawn dry and clean
if bleeding occurs from the area of the puncture site, raise your arm and apply pressure

I decided to do my first donation on my sand volleyball game day…big mistake. I even ate a lot of food, drank a ton of water, and took a nap. My game was 5 hours after the donation, and I was not feeling well after playing. So you know what NOT to do:)

Just search on Google for centers near you, but here are a few links: