Plasma Donation: How to sell your blood for $260 a month
96Let me tell you right now: I think donating plasma is an amazingly great thing to do. It’s a safe and easy way for people to help others while making some extra money. I’ve known poor college students that might have been homeless college students without plasma donation. And one time at the plasma center I met a single dad who told me he’d been giving plasma so he could put gifts for his daughter under the Christmas tree.
Without plasma donors like this, hemophiliacs, burn victims, and many other people in need could die waiting for essential transfusions.
This is a great example of a Win-Win situation. But I’m sure you have questions about the plasma donation process before you roll up your sleeve and let a phlebotomist take your precious plasma away.
MAKE MORE MONEY
Read my related Hub:
- Donate Eggs: Learn how to make up to $10,000 by selling your eggs.
- Sperm Donation: Learn how to make up to $800 a month selling sperm.
- Paid Clinical Trials: Learn how to make money by participating in medical research.
FAQ about donating plasma
What is plasma? Plasma makes up about 55% of your total blood volume. It is a yellowish liquid composed mostly of water (about 90%) that carries things such as vitamins and hormones through your body. Platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells circulate through your body while suspended in plasma.
Is donating plasma safe? Absolutely. Most complications from plasma donation are very minor problems. One common complication is the development of a hematoma (which is just fancy doctor-speak for “bruise”)at the needle entry site. I personally had a vein infiltrated once – which is when the needle goes through the vein twice. That left a real big bruise, but it didn’t hurt very much at all and there’s no medical danger to it.
Are plasma donation centers clean? Some people have images of druggies lined up out the door looking to sell plasma in dingy clinics. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve donated plasma at three different locations and each was impeccably clean. Remember that there’s nobody forcing you to donate and you can always walk out if you feel uncomfortable.
Is it ethical to make money selling your plasma? I can only speak for my conscience here. Plasma treatments save lives. The payment system was adopted because a very large amount of plasma is needed for treatments . In order to encourage the maximum number of donations the system was incentivized. For those who are on the fence morally about this, I suggest you ask your physician what they think. My doctor said the vital need for plasma far outweighs any of his moral concerns.
Does it hurt? If you don’t like needles, plasma donation probably isn’t for you. A relatively large needle is used in the plasma donation process (the technical term for the process is plasmapheresis). After the stick the most you should feel is a very slight discomfort in your arm. I typically don’t feel anything after the needle is inserted.
How long does it take? The process itself takes about 45 minutes to an hour where you’re lying down. You aren’t allowed to sleep (or eat), but I usually take my laptop and either watch a movie or do homework.
How often can you donate plasma? Two times every seven days. Don’t try to get tricky and go to multiple donation centers. On top of being stupid (NOTE: You need to keep some of your plasma so your blood doesn’t turn to sludge) there is a national database that all centers check.
How much money can you make? Every plasma donation center has its own compensation plan. Generally you are paid $20 to $25 for the first weekly visit and $30 to $45 for the second. I go to BioLife Services and the pay is $20 and $45 for a total of $65 a week and $260 a month. On top of this, many centers have additional cash prizes or gift certificate programs to keep things fun and interesting.
How do you get paid? Some places pay cold hard cash. BioLife gives you a debit card that they deposit money into every time you donate.
How to get paid for plasma donation
This is a great claymation video by Howcast that describes the plasma donation process.
The Plasmapharesis Procedure
Here is a video a donor shot while he was giving plasma. This is a must watch if you’re nervous about what the procedure actually looks like.
The Donation Day Process: From start to finish
Before you donate plasma, follow these tips:
- Drink lots of water. This can speed up the process by pumping up your veins.
- Avoid greasy and fatty meals. This can give plasma a milky appearance and disqualify you for donation.
- No coffee or booze. These drinks dehydrate you.
- Eat something healthy. Protein and complex carbs like bread, cereal, and fruits are best.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking increases the likelihood you’ll feel lightheaded after donating. Not a fun way to drive home.
First time donors - it’s a little bit different for the uninitiated
If it’s your first time, be sure to bring a valid form of government issued identification, proof of residence (utility bill, car insurance, etc.), and a social security card. You will undergo a more exhaustive medical history and physical examination during your first visit. Including the plasma donation, your first visit should take about 2 to 2.5 hours. You’ll also be asked to stick around for 15 minutes so they can make sure you’re not the type that gets very lightheaded after this sort of thing.
Step 1: Pre Screening
- Check in at the front desk
- Answer screening questions (at BioLife, these are done on a touchscreen computer)
- Sit in the waiting room
Step 2: Screening
- Your name will be called to begin the screening
- Weight check (you must weigh at least 110 pounds to donate)
- Blood pressure check
- Pulse check
- Temperature check
- Finger prick (a small sample of blood from your finger is checked to measure protein and hematocrit)
Step 3: Plasmapheresis (the actual plasma donation part)
- Lay down
- Iodine cleansing of the needle entry site (you choose left arm or right arm)
- The needle is placed in your vein
- Sit back and relax for 45 minutes to an hour. As blood is taken out and pumped back in (plasma removed) you can watch your plasma bag slowly fill up. The amount taken is dependent on your weight.
- Plasma bag removed once full
- Saline pumped into your system. This water and salt solution fills in for the loss of blood volume. It makes your body feel cold for a few minutes since it’s room temperature and your body should be around 98.6 degrees. This is why many donors bring blankets.
- The needle is removed and you’re bandaged up
Step 4: Getting paid
- Some places pay cash. BioLife puts deposits money onto the debit card they give you.
Step 5: Schedule your next appointment
Finding plasma donation centers
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association search engine lists many of the donation centers in the United States: http://www.pptaglobal.org/plasma/find.aspx. The listings include phone numbers, addresses, and websites of the centers. Contact one in your area to set up your screening appointment (where you will also make your first donation if you pass the screening). If you can’t find a center here, try looking in the yellow pages or asking at a local hospital.
What do you think of plasma donation? Leave me any questions or comments in the section below. Just ask if there's a part of the process that you're curious about. I've been donating plasma for a few years now and could probably answer your question. Thanks!
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Hi raquel: I've never come across any donation center that pays different amounts based on blood type.
I'm guessing you're thinking about how O negative blood is in such high demand from the Red Cross. For whole blood donation, O neg is particularly important because they are "universal donors" (anybody can be transfused with their blood).
Some plasma donation centers do pay more for people who weigh more since they're able to donate a larger volume of plasma.
I hope that answers your question! Let me know if I can help any more.
Hi Madhubber, Nice to meet a fellow plasma donor. I liked your hub, it is very informative. I did want to comment that I am a smoker, a coffee drinker, and a regular donor and the coffee and cigarettes have never had an effect on me during or after donating. I think it is good that you advise caution, but I wanted to let people also know that they do not have to change their lifestyle and habbits just to be able to donate. Thanks for the article it was a good read. :-)
Hi Whikat, Good point. At one point when I was donating I was also a smoker and coffee drinker. It's good to point out that it doesn't preclude you from donating. I never noticed much of a difference either, but most donation centers seem to recommend you stay away from them the morning you plan to give. Thanks for helping me clarify!
In the UK, I don't think anyone is ever paid to donate. It's against the law to be paid to donate organs, bone marrow, sperm, or eggs, and the National Blood Service recruits volunteers.
Hi LondonGirl, That's true. This Hub is specifically for people here in the States.
This is interesting but unfortunately, where I come from, they don't pay you for your plasma. Would have been a real nice source of spare change. :)
Good thing to see that someone is having good luck with donating plasma. I tried to donate plasma where I lived and I could never find a parking place and it was only on a walk in basis where you spend 3 hours or more waiting to get in. I found a parking place about a mile away, but figured if I walk a mile in 100 degree weather, I would not be giving plasma by the time I got there, lol. I guess some people liked to do it since the place was so busy all the time. Great hub!
very interesting subject! I've always wondered about this... I have some medical problems myself and don't know if I'd personally be able to do it (though I'd love to!)
@annvans: Yeah, I would never do a place that only had walk in service. One of the benefits of BioLife is that you can schedule online. I'm usually hooked up and donating my plasma within 10 minutes of walking in.
@ rosierific: You should try calling a local donation center. They should be able to tell you if your medical problems preclude you from being a donor.
Great info, madhubber! Very cool!
very usefull thanks for this great hub
I always just donate for free. Great hub!
interesting
Very informative--I'm just now getting back into donating plasma because I'm going to be laid off in a few days. I'm kind of bummed, my local Biolife dropped their amounts $10 a week from when I used to go.
I know someone who ended up with track marks b/c he donated so much...is there a way to avoid that?
Saves lives and get paid...not bad, not bad at all!
good job ..... keep it up .. but not for money pls
Great hub!
I donated plasma during college, and it is amazing what hospitals and other facilites can do with what you give them from your body. This is something that many people should seriously consider, because it does help save lives and if it can help your wallet, too, what's so bad about donating?
Wow, that is great. Here in our country when you donate blood or plasma there is not payment. But of course, you can sell your blood. I have heard of some people selling their blood from time to time.
I had to do plasmapheresis for health reasons. Let me tell you it was no fun!
I would say though to all of you, give blood / plasma, you could save a life like mine was saved 15 years ago.
:-)
Here at my place nobody pay for donation especially plasma. Anyway if that's donation, money doesn't matter. Thanks for the info.
Nice! very informative hub.
Hi all, I was considering donating and wondering about blood pressure requirements. I know mine can go from normal to high, anywhere from 110 - 140. What range do you have to be in to donate ?
Interesting information.
Enjoyed learning something new. Thankyou.
Very courageous article! I just couldn't watch the pics for very long... We should all donate plasma and blood like you do.
There are also other companies that pay much more for plasma, the only thing is you have to be sick. This company looks for people who have auto immune disorders or viral infections and pay as much as 500 each time you donate. Check out this site accessclinical.com
I see no problem with getting for this. I think you shoud be paid for your blood as well. After the place you donate to is going to charge the person who receives it. Then they will get charge a secound time by the hospital that gives it to them. Laws that prevent you from getting a fee are just protecting the company and hospitals from having to pay up for me taking a risk of infection and other complications, I don't care how small the chances are. I was told that there was a small 2% chance that may back surgery would cause more pain. Well I was in that 2%.
Really informative hub. I will definitely be checking out donation centers in my area!
I did fine my first try...but some of the people were snotty and some gave you information...my 1st try was fine but they readjusted the needle twice and it bruised me on my 2nd visit that disqualified that arm...then no one told me to drink the water the day before not the day of ..or have coffee that morning or have some salty food so my blood pressure was 102 then they gave me 15 minutes but I know it was less and this snotty girl said it was to high again...I asked how much ..I could swears she looked at the old reading , because she told me 102...she was no help another lady who looked at my bruise was...I am older these young workers really are not patient with us the girl just dismissed me with little or no respect and just said donate some other time , and then just walked away...how do you complained at these places. A nice fellow at the front said
I could give the next day as long as it was 100 or below and he was nice enough to give me a password and login, but I traveled 28 miles for nothing!! btw this was at biolife in Fayetteville, Arkansas ...what is a good way to avoid "Sugar" that was her name the next time???
Great hub! Too bad Georgia dosent have a bio center here :(
This really makes me nervous. I know a teen who is doing this for gas money and he is always sick. It surely weakens your immune system and with the flu going around that cannot be good.
Artemus - I don't think there is any reason at all to be nervous. It does not "surely weaken your immune system." I appreciate the comment, but you should be careful when making statements like that with absolutely no scientific backing. There is no evidence that plasma donation has ANY negative consequences on the donors body.
Oh man, just looking at this hub made me a little queezy. I am sure that I could do it, and I probably should give blood / plasma, but I am not a fan of hospitals or needles!
Excellent, excellent hub! Very informative and the pictures are amazing! I'm really into donating blood to help others, but I've never donated plasma. Thanks for sharing this awesome hub!
do you all realize how much hospitals pay for plasma? IT'S A LOT. A heck of a lot more than is being paid to the donor. Some of you are very naive and childish.
Hi! Do you know of other places that pay? There's no BioLife in my state! deanalisi@cox.net
Hi! Do you know of other places that pay? There's no BioLife in my state! deanalisi@cox.net
Rated your article up! Great content and presentation. It's also a blessing to save a life. The money is an added plus.
:)
This article has been very informative, thank you for writing it!
Great Hub! I have donated to pick up extra cash. The rates are a little lower here in Florida. $20 & $25
I tried plasma donation for a while, and it was not bad. Like you said, the needle hurts, but not for long. Eventually I became too poor to eat well, and they started rejecting me for low blood protein. Then I had to find a full-time job.
I donated plasma twice a week while going to college in the 80s. I was paid 50 bucks a week and since there was no place to do this near my home I could only do it while school was in session. Still, it paid for beer, smoke, comics and porn.
How often can you donate Plasma without it being hazardous?
Anyone experience dramatic weight loss while donating?
I went from 130/40 and a few months later was
What are compensation rates in Central Washington(state) per visit?
Is there a donation center near me in Newark NJ?
I have donated blood many times and plasma once. I have also sold my blood a couple of times. In principle I am all for giving and helping those less fortunate than myself BUT if they are paying for it I am not going to complain. Any cash is helpful to me.
Interesting and well informed article. Thank you.
Why in the world do the "powers that be" feel it is perfectly fine to sell their plasma for money, yet when it comes to organs, selling them is out of the question. Thousands of infants, children and adults die every day from a lack of available organs. There is a critical shortage of available organs that qualify for donation practically continuously. Yes, it is more complicated regarding organs, and there are moral questions, but it is food for thought. I am always dumfounded at why in the world so many people refuse to donate their organs if they die, and take their organs to their graves (or flames in cremations) to simply rot or burn into useless dust and ash. So many lives could be saved if more people would donate organs. So fill out those organ donation cards PLEASE! I worked in hospitals for 15 years, and it is so sad to see people die who could have had a 2nd chance at life if others would simply fill out organ donor cards!
Do you get paid more on your first time there because you have to have the physical?
Been selling my plasma for a few weeks now, money helps as I have lost my 70k job and now exist on 1300 a month plus plasma cash.....the economy is especially cruel to those over 55. The plus side, no more pestering phone calls from the dispatcher who un-beknown to him, has ruined lot's of family gatherings and pleasant chats around the fire ring...my pockets are thin, life is much richer as it turns out , day by day.
I've scheduled my first plasma donation for this Thursday. The question I have is: I tend to get scared or nervous when I get my blood taken or so on. Will I pass out if I get too scared or nervous? Does the blood get taken out and put back in at the same time?
I donated for 2 yrs solid twice a week, then got an on call job and it was more complicated to do. I took 2 years off from donating and I recently started going back. It is quick simple and you meet alot of cool other regulars. I do look like I have track marks, you can't avoid it. Getting stuck that many times, and that often. xo_sirk_ox@yahoo.com
I just signed up last week to start donating, but on the that day was not able to donate because i didn't eat enough. My question is how much should you eat before you donate. I go in the morning and don't have an appitite, i need to make sure i eat just enough to not get sick. I also have a problem with a high pulse rate, is any suggestions to try to lower it on my day of donating
I tried to donate and was told my veins were too small, so to drink lots of water and come back in 6mos. I haven't found anything on web to say this is so, and that is worthwhile to go back. What do you think?
I HAVE SMALL VIENS TOO SO I CAN ONLY GIVE BLOOD IT WORTH IT IF YOU NEED A QUICK 2O
I just donated my first plasma yesterday and go back tomorrow to donate the second. I'm on SSI (disability) and live in Texas, so I'm wondering if I have to claim this money as " earned income" on my taxes? Being on SSI, I dont file taxes because its not "earned" money. So will this income make me have to file taxes?
I do know they took my social security number, so I dont know if they report the money I get for donation. Thanks!
I also tried to donate and they told me my veins were to small, I asked if there is anything I can do. They told me no. I am gonna drink lots of water and try the other place in town here. It just sucks.
I started donations in Wisconsin at $20 and $30 for $50 total per week but just recently the cost went down to $20 and $20 per week for only $40. Plus service seems to have gotten worse; less workers means longer wait times and rushed assistance...
I wonder how come plasma donation prices have decreased? I have heard that the mark-up these plasma centers are making on our plasma is HUGE!
Informative and interesting Hub.Blood drives give snacks. Giving Feels Good.
Being able to have the Option of getting paid is also a privilege when your in need. Thanks
i am actually part of the access clinical program mentioned earlier in this thread, and yes, they pay well. ofcourse i spent alot of time in the hospital to qualify. the company i do my donations with is cangene, and they are a great bunch to work with, while yes i hate needles, they make it as pleasant as possible and the center is immaculately clean. even the public bathrooms are spotless. if i didnt live an hour away i would probably continue after the program with access clinical ends. for other people they pay 25 per donation onto a prepaid debit card
Excellent article. My fiancee and I have been thinking about doing this and with this article and watching BioLife's insider look at a first time donation, I can't wait to make my appointment. I used to give blood but haven't in a while so it'll feel good to spend a couple hours a week giving to someone in need. Not a big fan of needles, but I think this would be absolutely worth it.
Plasma donation isn't scary. Where I go the worst part is waiting in line to get screened if the place is packed (Sometimes I've waited over an hour, other times I get screened almost as soon as I walk into the door. First come, first serve, here.) They then take you into a room, get your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, prick you with one of those little needles diabetics use to test their blood (it rarely hurts, and when it does it ain't much), collect a tiny vial of your blood, and toss it into a centrifuge. Next they ask you the same questions that they ask every time ("In the past six months have you gotten any tattoos or body piercings? In the past eight weeks have you had sex with or been in close contact with someone who has hepatitis?" That sort of thing. Then they check the blood they took for your protein counts and something else, and if everything checks out you're good to go.
Once the usual BS is done with you wait for them to call your name (takes next to no time), and then they bring you to this curvy bed thing where you're sitting back with your legs up, but you are sitting up. Rather comfy. After confirming your information one last time (name, date of birth, last four of your social) they swab the hell out of the inside of your elbow with iodine, and then they stab you. Yes, it usually does hurt, but if you get the right person to stab you it might not. I don't like it so I always close my eyes and look away.
My plasma donation place has TVs all over the place playing movies (PG13 or lower only), except during football season when they'll have the game on Sundays. Thing is, I hate their movies so I always bring my trusty laptop to tear up their open WiFi. After about an hour to an hour and a half (I donate a full bottle as I am 200 pounds) the machine will transfer all your blood back, flush out the machine, and the techs will unhook you by pulling out the needle (doesn't hurt a bit) and taping on a bandage to your puncture site. Then they give you a paper with a pin code, which you take to an ATM nearby to get paid. Total average time for me in and out: About 2 hours.
Personally, I don't like doing it but it does give me a bit of extra cash to survive on until I _finally_ find a real job. And truth be told, it ain't that bad. The worst part is being jabbed with a needle and that's a relatively minor pain which lasts all of 2 seconds.
Saving lives? Eff that, I wanna eat! XD
Please donate blood at least once a year volunteerly.
Please tell me if you know the name of the machine that separates the plasma from the blood? Thanks
Hi John,
I believe that the machine used is simply called a plasmapheresis machine (as that's what the procedure is known as). Hope that helps!
Can you find a paid plasma donation center near Syracuse, NY? If you can, please email me at rusty.young69@gmail.com.
Hey i want to donate blood and sperm can u tell me the address please on my email tushar.kapoor20@yahoo.com or
call me at +6594732939
This was very informative! I recently started donating at a Biolife center in my area! The facilities are clean, the staff is excellent and I never have to wait long to donate. I am a smoker and coffee drinker, though I limit myself to one cup of coffee on donation days, eat a good breakfast and stay hydrated and I have never had a problem! Also, my biggest fear is needles but after the initial sting of it being inserted there really is little to no discomfort. Its a little different from donating blood because you have to pump constantly between each return, but I have time to get homework done or catch up on some reading!
I'd like to sell my blood.
My blood type is RH+A
I'm women
I'm 29 years old.
please call me
201 560 6681
I tried a couple of years ago my mom thought I was nuts but she stopped paying for car insurance. I went they wouldnt let me. I didnt eat protine before i went and they said that they had a emt come in and take care of a paticent. What is that called when you dont eat protine before a blood draw.
Donation collecting is my hobby yaar
How can you say donation when you are getting paid????
I am a female of 28 years. I want to sell my blood . My blood group is O+ . I am not suffering from any disease
Please suggest me how can I sell my blood .
Very Informative thank you very much
I went to biolife today and did my fist donation. They only pay 20 & 20 now so $40 a week. It's better than nothing. But I have a bruise and can't go back till it has started to fade. Is there anything you can do to prevent bruising? Or at least help it go away faster so you can actually donate twice a week? I really need the extra cash right now so would like to be able to donate again before the week is out.
I'm going in to donate for my second time tomorrow but thought I'd look up some more info after what happened last time. My appointment was set for 9 but I didn't get in till almost 12 and by then it had been too long since I last ate. I almost threw up as they were taking the blood on my second draw and had to stop the procedure early because I was so dizzy and sick. Turns out this was a good idea. I laid there for a half an hour til I felt better then walked across the room and sat down. Next thing I knew my vision went. I woke up as they were taking me to a bed to lay down. I was impressed with the care I got. They made sure I was alright, checked my vitals several times, got me some food and juice, and made sure I had someone to drive me home before they let me go.
Turns out I just needed some food, but a scary time anyways! But even with all that I was impressed with the clinic and the employees. The people that were there to donate were nice too. A girl gave me the tip to eat a peanut butter sandwich right before I enter the building and bring another for after so I'll be doing that tomorrow.
Wish me luck!
1. Your getting compensated for your time there, not the donation itself. 2. The machines are called Auto-Cs or PCS-2s. 3. It is imperitive that you eat and drink healthy the day before and the day of donation. I am currently working at a donation center and have also worked at the lab where all testing is done, going on 9 years. If anyone has a moral dilema as to whether or not this is right then go ask a person that has hemophilia if we should stop. Talk to a burn victim and see if there is another solution. I am not aswering anymore questions just stumbled across.
how old you have to be to give it
I am wondering what kind of Id or info do you need to be able to donate. Is a Driver's Licease enough?
Unfortunately, there don't appear to be any plasma donation centers in the NYC tri-state area.
I need to make money to pay for my court ticket. With the economy being in such a bad state, no one is hiring. I came up with the solution of selling my plasma. I am 320 pounds, with no medical problems except depression. (no diabetes, etc). I was thinking about going to DCI biologicals. How much money would I be looking at getting would you think? What stuff should I have ready or doing to donate? And would I be eligable? I have to travel for two hours to get to the nearest donation center and I really don't know what I would do if I got turned down. I'm litterly broke! What do you all think?
Hello, I do have a question a friend is interesting in donating blood for money, but if she goes to the red cross they wont pay any money, but i am not sure if california has that program for plasma donors and they will pay her. if you can please let me know if its possible for her to find any place where she would receive some extra cash for donating blood or plasma.
Here i use this center for donating plasma, they pay out up to 100 for the first week of donating. its Biomat USA. they do have locations all over the US. They tell people the day before donating the following:
Drink lots of water the day before and the same day you donate.
Prior to donating, EAT A WELL-BALANCED MEAL and avoid alcohol or beverages with caffeine.
Avoid fatty and high-cholesterol foods like cheese, whole milk, fried foods, hotdogs, etc.
Maintain your iron and protein levels by eating a well-balanced diet.
Finally, drink plenty of water after you donate to replenish fluids.
I just found out that our donation prices have gone down too. I was going to write a letter to the president asking why? but thought I would see if ALL Plasma centers have decreased their $$. I was getting 20 first time 25 second. Now it's 20 for each donation... I go to octapharma plasma in Florence Ala. I heard big cities offer more $$.
I don't smoke cigarettes or drink coffee - Can I still donate?
I live in R.I. and there doesen't seem to be one within 100 miles of me....
In California it is not legal to pay donors for plasma that is intended for tranfusion to patients. Plasma may be collected to manufacture reagents. I personally don't think anyone should be paid to donate plasma for transfusion to patiens since it would encourage people to lie about where they have been and what they have been doing. It's just fine for plasma donations for reagents, though.
As far as Blood pressure check,Pulse check,Temperature check,Finger prick(checked to measure protein&hematocrit),what kind of numbers do we want to see?I'm female jus turned 40,5'2" an 1,883cal/d
20.21BMI,I'm in very good health/shape,low activity,look young an feel for my age. And I eat better now,than I did when I was young,because I didn't like my veggie's but thats all changed since I had kids.
Easy way to make a few extra bucks, and helpful too:)
i have recently returned back to the states d=from a tour in afghanistan, i returned march first. can i donate?
How common is dizziness after donation? Thank you.
I tried to give plasma today and I was turned down. They said my veins were not thick enough and that their machines were were a little rough when it came to pumping. Bummer.
I just wanted to say that I have been donating for about 4 months and it seems to have weakened my body against colds as well as noticeably lowered my energy level. I am a very healthy 28 male and have clearly been affected from donations. I rarely ever got colds in the past, and since I started donating in a 4-month period, I have been sick twice.
I believe donating plasma may be weakening my bodies immune system, and possibly lowering my bodies ability to effectively exercise for muscle growth.
Anyone know of any scientific research on long-term donation effects?
Great job on this hub! I've been donating plasma for several months. It's a great way to earn extra money for doing practically nothing. I usually use the time to listen to a podcast and catch up on email or snail mail.
Thanks so much for putting this whole site together. I was hesitant about the process and now I see the real value to society and appreciate the return price I hopefully will receive. The videos about the processes and concerns were a great explanation of all of the aspects of the event.
Here in Australia we have to leave two weeks between donations to let the body recover properly and we don't get paid. I donate because I want to and believe it or not it is a great social outing, same time every two weeks so the others donating are the same as well. Excellent way to meet people.
i was wonder if i could donate plasma the only problem is i am 15 years old. what do you think?
@countrygirl1024 you need to be 18 in order to donate. wait a couple years and then you'll be able to donate.
plasma selling is win win idea but i do wonder if the donors(sellers) are being compensated adequately. we are probably being exploited in that profit to company exceeds payout. Yet again its probably seller beware in this case... market forces drive compensation and a lot of people are willing to do it including me for 1 year now extra money is great and is for a good purpose
Good heavens, folks. Does anyone really think they are being exploited if the company gets more for your plasma than they pay you for it? Who pays for the workers, the property, the lights, the machines, the liability insurance, and is it so terrible for the person who brings all of this together to get a "profit" for doing so? These days, it seems people have gone nuts and think everyone else should work for nothing, except of course for yourselves. Do you make a profit when you work, or do you just cover the expense of the air you breathe while working? Profit equals making a living. If it's a guaranteed wage no matter what it's honest, if it's a profitable gain for taking risk and hoping you'll come out ahead it's evil? Grow up and realize who really pays the bills, kids...
i have surfed for an hour and half for the LOCATION for a
plasma for money center...the 3 places i called all wer indignant that i even called. they did not collect plasma/blood...i am in sw PA USA........help!
There is a serious flaw with your hub and only feeds to the misconception that most people have about plasma donation centers like BioLife.
In the USA, per Federal law, consumers CANNOT be paid for donating blood, platelets or plasma when it is to save a life, go into another person's body. I think it is wrong how BioLife claims they save lives. They don't. BioLife is operated by a drug company. They are making the stretch with that claim as the donations you give help them make drugs that indirectly help save people.
But if you want to actually help save a life, give something that will go directly into someone, like blood or platelets for cancer patients, you must voluntarily give it and not be paid. Non-profits like Carter Blood Care (here in Texas) do help save lives as everything they collect go directly into other people.
Why is that? If people were paid for it, then people that were NOT eligible with be encouraged to lie on those important questions they ask you to see if you are eligible to donate just to get paid. If they do so at places like BioLife, no big deal as it isn't going into someone's body. Get it now?
I'm only 17 but I am married, does that make it so I can donate? Also, would I get less cause my blood type is AB+? Thanl you. please emailme at cmarble_23@yahoo.com
1simple -- first of all, get your facts straight. If it was illegal to donate plasma for cash in the US, then why are there so many plasma donation centers here that pay? I think you are confusing the USA with another country.
Second, get off your high horse. Who cares if they might use my plasma to make prescription drugs. They are still using it to HELP SOMEONE IN NEED. If I can donate my plasma which in turn helps someone stay alive and I happen to make some extra cash for it -- what's the issue? It's a win-win. You seem to think that because BioLife is supposedly "owned by a drug company" that they are evil? Not all makers of prescription drugs are evil and immoral. I want to know what will happen when it's your turn at the hospital and the doctor says "sorry we can't help you because a group of self-righteous fools like yourself shut down all the plasma centers so we have nothing to treat you with..." How would you feel then? Get over yourself. Donating plasma, whether it's directly transfused into someone else or made into a drug -- is still HELPING PEOPLE. I think you are just bitter because you feel you should get paid $100 every time you donate. As someone else mentioned here -- they have to pay for the building, the lights, the machines, the employees, etc. They are not a non-profit and their web-site clearly states it. They are a business and need to make a living just like you and me. Saving lives and helping others is just one of the many positives about their business model. They are making money and helping others at the same time. What the heck is wrong with that? In America, it's called running a successful business.
im very happy i sing the plasma donation
@1simpleton, plasma collected is used in transfusions to people who require it to stay alive. So already you don't know what you're talking about and you look dumb.
Reading some of these comments just shows how dumb people really are. Smh.
Hey so is it true that if i just got back from Ethiopia last week that I can't donate plasma for a year?
Just to let people know that it is illegal to buy or sell your body in anyway that is way it is considered donation but the plasma centers compincate you for your time donating not to buy the plasma off
I have HPV, can I still donate Plasma?
Yes you can still donate plasma if you have hpv!
hi this site is very helpful,but i was wondering i have tattoo that are over 10 years old that i can not prove where they came from and that they were clean about it will i still be able to donate?
whats up with the pay is it worth it in nyc atleast?? or what is the best paying state or facility?? what are also other things i can put up for donations for money being i am a male 6'0 175 lbs anything advice would be apreciated
I'm A Very Good Looking Artist & Father Of A Very Beautiful Daughter! I Find Myself In Hard Financial Times! .. If You Are Interested In Me!?? .. Please Contact Me! .. Thank You! Sincerely! :)
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I don't know of this place you guys are going to, but the center I go to gives you $150 for the first two times and then $75 each time after that.
If they pay you 150, u need to tell us were that center is
I live in Temecula California, BIOLIFE (Baxter my former employer) does not have centers here in California.
Anyone know where I might find a center here.
I am an 0- , healthy and really need food money for the children.
I am doing all I can to avoid social services and food stamps. It is not easy.
Hi there! I have AB- plus am RH-, how does that work as far as giving plasma?
how do I get started? like a number to call or something.
why do you call it "donating" when you are selling your plasma? i have been donating plasma, red blood cells and hemapheresis (WBC) for 25 years and never received a dime. that's why it's called donating.
Does making money from donating blood affect unumployment benefits?
How does the income affect my tax returns?
you want this here O- u gonna have to pay me more than 60 a week
I donated plasma for the first time on Wednesday and it was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be. I went to a CSL Plasma site. The worst part is that it's located in a sketchy part of the city (I just won't go there at night when I'm alone). My husband makes decent money, but we're trying to pay off our debt and still have money for Christmas. This is a great way to beef up your gift budget. I honestly don't understand why there's such a stigma attached to it. They won't accept you if you test positive for drugs or appear under the influence of any substances. I think it's a win-win situation.
I always donated blood from 1978.
My type is o- so is kind of rare.
I did 30 + donation in Europe first and then 6 or 7 in NY city.
5 years ago I moved to Ft Lauderdale and here I can't donate because I'm from Europe.
Now I'll try to sell,and because is rare I'll take a good cash.
Try to be nice but here doesn't work.
I really wish they had this option in Australia - there are regular blood drives but it's not uncommon for hospitals to be low on blood supplies, which is sad.
Wouldn't help me much though - I'm deathly scared of needles and don't think I'd give blood even for money!
Not sure this is true everywhere but here in MN the $$'s made donating Plasma ($70) if you donate 2 times a week... you do not have to pay taxes on & do not need to claim as income. That's a HUGE perk!
hii, i very recently came to know about plasma donations and am interested to do it myself.i m in college and live in India and have no idea about plasma donation in my country. could anyone please help me out by listing any plasma organizations in India
I went to octapharma to give blood. Everyone was nice, but I had a incident during the end of my donation. My machine was beeping because my line needed to be stripped (thats unclogging the line your blood flows through in the machine). Instead of stripping me, a lady that wasn't helping me at first came over and moved the needle in my arm. Soon as she did it, my arm started burning. In less than a minute I called the nurse, and she unhooked me from the machine. What happened is the phlebotomist pushed the needle through my vein and my platelets where building up under my skin.My arm has all these track marks and dark veins and is bruised. Im not planning to donate to octapharma again.I've never had this experience when I donated through red cross.
im intersested 3473042134 call me if you need to talk
wow the blood center I work at, gets over 400 plasmas per day.. all the donor gets is a nice tshirt :) lol
I was searching for a place to donate plasma for money in my state and it was saying that there are no locations in this area, I'm in the modesto area, if anyone can help me fine would i would appreciate an email. thank you
cherina.dominguez@yahoo.com
how old do you have to be?????
im 17 and live in the u.s. and need some extra cash. plus i would like, mainly to donate to help out people,but, the benefits are just an added bonus.
I have been donating for about 4 weeks now. Two times a week. I have not felt bad just a little dizzy. Yesterday I was told my protein was low but I was still okay to donate. After the donation I felt really dizzy and a little nauseous. This continued until today. I ate some heavy protein and now feel much better but not perfect. My biggest complaint is the amount of time I spend waiting. Every donation has taken a minimum of two hours. But…they pay $25 for the first visit and $35 for the second. Seems like the first two weeks of the month they pay a $10 bonus. It's been nice making a little extra cash.
i just love being able to get payed for giving blood... :) it puts food on my table.
The gift of life is the greatest gift of all. This hub should allow those thinking of donating plasma to rest at ease. You can make some money while helping others. There is also the added benefit of meeting other good people there. New friends are always nice.
I have been donating at biolife and have had problems with the personal they treat the people like trash. if you ask quistions they tell the management that you are being rude. if this happens twice you are banned from donating.Im not surewhat to do now, I was saving money for my collage tution
FYI, way back someone asked about more money for different blood types, and the answer was no, you don't get more money for different blood types. However, you can get more money for different anti-bodies. Every year I can get my Anthrax booster shot for free from the clinic (I had the full Anthrax series in the service). I get $100 for this. I come back in a couple of weeks and they test my antibodies. If high enough I can donate twice a week (mion/ wend or Tues/ thur) for the next 4 weeks at $100 a donation with a completion bonus of $100, for a total of $1000 USD. When I worked three shifts a week as a nurse on night shift I would do this, but having a 5 day a week nine to five job it's impossible. You also have to live near a bio warfare lab that is in on the contract (there is one in Fredrick Maryland. I have heard of other very rare antibodies that pay over $800 a donation!!!
i want 2 sell my blood i dont have any vices, im livng n phil. mtro mnla u can txt me at ds nmber 09104037815
@Zed there is a link above to find facilities in your area, or try the yellow pages. Literacy is key.
randy in idaho - I too have been giving at a Biolife Plasma Center (in Michigan) and found the employees to be less than professional, and at times rude. If one simply QUESTIONS them, they say you are arguing. I have never seen such a bunch of oddballs - if you asked a person at the gas station a question, they certainly wouldn't get uppity, assume you are arguing and be rude to you. Biolife just wants you to be a robot - shut up, don't question, let them stick you any which way (move the needle around, enlarge the hole, leave a scar). They really need better training for their employees.
I haven't had as many problems as what many of you have expressed and I have donated at three different facilities in two states. That being said, as a nurse, I can tell you any of those people can make more money at a hospital. So, why do they work at one of these facilities? Think about it, there are lot's of answers, but many speak to character.
what if i want to donate but i have tattoos??
plasma selling is SELLING not donating and according to FDA regulations can NOT be used for transfusion to patients in hospitals.
I donate in North Texas area. The company pays $50 a week. Im able to load up the debit card they provide. Before you sign in, you are asked a verity of questions and tattoo may get you red flagged if farely a new one, JUST CALL BEFORE YOU GO. I decided to go back to college full-time and it sure helps. Any good looking, loves to laugh, txt, talk, single, ok, you don't have to be single, 30ish, ladies out there???
Question for you SM3? So are you suggesting a person can sell plasma at a hospital?
The place I go to just changed ownership and the payments have been reduced.
Thanks.
@Happy MotT- NO, sorry if I caused any confusion. Remember I was addressing someone that said these people were mean or irritable or something. What I am saying is that people that work at these clinics can almost always make more money if they worked doing the same/ similar jobs at a hospital (phlebotomy). If they work at a place like this for less money, it is eaither for the better schedule, or because they have burned bridges at the hospital, or they don't play well with patients. Hospitals pay pretty well (relatively speaking) for phlebotomists, so they don't tolerate this since new people are always graduating and looking for a job. These facilities seem, to me, to have trouble keeping staff. Often the same people move from hospital to hospital until they run out in an area, then go from blood collection/ plasma center to blood collection/ plasma center. I have had veins infiltrated several times and I swear it is because they tell me to pump my fist. well my forearms are big, so when I pump the needle moves. Every time I go in and try to explain I get a hard time. If I don't pump they tell me to pump, despite the fact that I explained. When I infiltrate they blame me. Hey I get paid anyway :-) I hope that clarifies.
@merry- you are wrong. http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/23/89757
Have you ever heard of Rhogam? It is made from plasma that is "sold" and it is very important. Plasma is one of the exceptions in the FDA's tissue and organ donation rules.
SM3 - thanks so much for the clarification.
Does pumping your fist really help or would your blood be drawn just the same if you didn't?
Thanks for the great info.
Sorry Happy MtT I don't have any facts on the fist pumping thing. The professionals say it helps and I can understand why it might physiologically. However, in my, anecdotal, experience it makes things worse if you have muscular forearms.
Thanks for the feedback SM3.
All in all I'm pretty happy with the whole donation/selling plasma. I just wish the process could go a bit quicker.
I agree 100%
I'm scared I don't want to get aids.
@STL- is that a joke, who are you going to get aids from yourself? Did you read the page? It is a closed system. Your blood is removed, spun, and the cells returned to your body. The pieces that hold the blood and blood components are closed and replaced with new disposable pieces for each patient. This process is done 100K times a year, at least. Have you ever heard of anyone getting aids from donating plasma? Seriously, was that a serious comment or are you just a trouble maker?
please read this:
Sorry, I don't follow unknown links to unknown sources. That is a recipe for getting a virus (worm, etc...). Would you like to tell us what it is about, at least.
hi ive been trying to find a place to donate my plasma for cash in southern cali but i cant find a place that pays, can you help? please send the info to army_strong53@yahoo.com if you can. thanks
Julio, I don't think the owner of this page is involved in it anymore. Maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, there is a link somewhere above to help find a place, try that. If not just use the white pages and make a few calls. Every major city I have ever been in has a place, and I ASSUME So. Cal. is no different.
helo...,
im hr in the philippines how can i sell my plasma blood?
Here in Wisconsin, USA...
* It IS donating plasma and it IS legal. Why? Well that would be because you are being compensated for your time NOT for your plasma. Yes, it is your TIME that you are selling NOT your plasma.
* You plasma donation IS tax-free because its a donation NOT income.
* If you don't know where your plasma center is, type plasma + your city or country name in google and hit enter, find a phone number and call them.
* It does NOT matter what type of blood you have for plasma donation purposes. You don't get paid more for having a rare blood type when donating plasma.
* You can also donate blood to private companies who will then compensate you for your time NOT your blood.
Those companies use your blood for testing products etc, NOT used for transfusions.
* It is NOT legal to compensate people for blood that will be used specifically for transfusions.
So, if you are wondering why you should DONATE your blood and time even if you have found someone who will pay for that time....Well, because without your donations made for transfusion purposes and not compensated for, patients will not be able to receive transfusions.
So, if you feel you need the money: Sell your time for plasma donation but give freely of your blood for transfusion purposes.
Or maybe you could sell your time for blood donation half the time and donate for transfusions the other half, thus relieving you of any moral objections.
***Please STOP posting your private home phone numbers on here!!!!***
@Wisconsin, great posts, except I find one sentence misleading (correct, but misleading). You stated, "* It does NOT matter what type of blood you have for plasma donation purposes. You don't get paid more for having a rare blood type when donating plasma." While you don't get more for you blood type, you CAN get more for certain antibodies, if you have them. Anthrax was paying for a time. Anti-D pays extra. Only RH-neg individuals are eligible. If you get in a program you are given a product that should get your body to produce Anti-D Antibodies. These Antibodies are used t make Rhogam. This product is used to help prevent miscarriages in certain cases.
Hey evr1. I cold lyk 2 do dat donation,bt i dnt hv a full information on hw 2 do it.
i am a 42 year old male, healthy by normal standards, and i wish to donate blood plasma or whatever my body can give in exchange for money, this i will do until my financial commitments are over and then i wish to become a free donor, if interested please contact me in my email id 'satkty@gmail.com'
Now I am work at malaysia. How to donate my blood ?
I am a male of 35 years. I want to sell my blood . My blood group is A1- . I am not suffering from any disease..
IF YOU NEED..
I donated at biolife a few years ago and I felt it was professional and well run. I recently returned after a few years and had to go through the physical, etc. again. For some reason they loaded my money onto my expired biolife card. They informed me they had to do this. They then told me that I had to fill out a form for a new card and there would be a $10 dollar fee. I filled out the form, which included a change of address and biolife faxed the form. After about 10 days my card still had not arrived. I called the number on my EXPIRED card and was told by someone in a call center in India that they had received the change of address, but not the replacement card request (they were on the same form). I was referred back to biolife. Biolife then referred me back to the card number again. I called the card number again and convinced them to please send me a new card. It has been about three weeks since my initial physical/donation and I still have not received my card. What a crock. It makes no sense that you have to use this stupid debit card (which charges a $5 fee with withdraw cash). I am sure they get something out of their relationship with Chase Bank. I'm going back to Talecris. At lease they give cash and don't have ancient equipment.
This is a cool way to make money and very informative hub. Don't think I would want to be prodded and probed twice a week but it's awesome info for someone who does and wants some money for it. Thanks for sharing! Voted up.
Hey iam from india I dnt knw any plasma centre here.can u guide me where it is n ma blood group is b neg
My husband gives plasma and the first 2 times he was getting light headed. And we figured it out that he was not drinking enough water. But this time in the month a doctor needs to look at his chart and see why he had that problem? Will he be able to still give plasma after the doctor looks at his chart.
Actually about the negative effects of plasma donation. You really don't need to have scientific backing to know that something is wrong if you donate quite often.
I was giving twice a week every week for almost three months. Halfway through I noticed I was no longer able to get or maintain an erection; whichever the case may be. It went on until I couldn't get to the donation center due to losing my car. After about two weeks of not donating; I was fine.
I was able to get to the donation center every week twice a week again not more than a month later. I began the same cycle. After about a month I was no longer to get or maintain an erection again. So as a curious person would; I quit donating for awhile and after about two weeks I was able to again. I really don't think it was just coincidence.
I did my own research and found this happens to quite a few people. I found this out myself. I just confirmed my hunch by doing research. Asking around, finding things others wrote.
I'm not bashing plasma donation by any means. I feel like I've done something for people that would otherwise have no chance. It's rewarding in more ways than monetarily. I'm just saying you don't need scientific backing for every little thing.
You've said that you have to be at least 110 pounds to donate, but I'm 5'1. Would they account for my height, or just say no? (I'm 105 pounds)
@June- If the rule is 110lbs they will not accept. Call and check though I seem to recall a limit of 100lbs, but maybe it changed, or maybe it's different at different centers.
@Gregg- everyone reacts differently to everything. Glad you aren't bashing. Maybe you just regenerate your plasma slower. Did you ever try donating once a week, once every other week? See what you can tolerate. Low volume is an easy explanation for ED and other problems.
@Laurie- it will be up to the doctor. They do not want the liability of him falling and you suing them, etc.... They may just tell him to drink more before and after in the future and monitor him and the situation, but they may also choose to differ him.
i drink many members seman. It's right or wrong
i am sivakumar i am disabled deaf impaired person 56% hearing both loss please kindly help me money do needful my email:asivakumar80@gmail.com
Does anyone know if their is a donation place in calif arounf the palm springs area
Daniel,
I went to yellowpages.com entered plasma and palm springs, CA and received several hits. After a quick look over just a few of them this one looks like it pays for plasma:
http://www.octapharmaplasma.com/
Best of luck to you :-)
All of you sitting on this site or any other bitching about people asking questions can shut the hell up what makes yo better than them. Its better to be well informed than not at all so stop rattling off numbers. Your a dick.
If you use marijuana on a regular basis can you still donate?
@Bob- what are you talking about? The creator of this hob has abandoned it,a nd I've been trying to answer the questions since I have an interest in the subject. Which posts are about people being upset with others asking questions. The only time I've said anything negative about questions is when people ask the same questions that have been asked over and over, because they don't bother to read the previous comments.
@Anonymous- No plasma center I have ever been to has tested me for drugs that I am aware of, but I may just not have paid attention since I don't use drugs. However, I do seem to recall signing a statement that I do not use drugs. You can look at a donation centers web site, or call a local center.
I went to donate today and turned away. I have had lots of blood taken from my arms so I have scars. It was a safety issue. Kinda mad me mad I went through most of the hour long process just to be turned away. Needless to say i was not very happy with biolife at all after this visit.
I went to biolife and they didnt give me a blood test or a pin prick. Said I needed both arms with good veins since they use a size 20 needle. You stated that they use the same vein. Am I being discriminated against donating I dont have aids or any blood disease or complications. Everytime I get a physical or something related a nurse takes my blood for analsyse. and they never have a problem finding a vein.Im a little person that is the main reason for this inquiry.
I would need much more information to answer adequately on these last two questions. However, I can venture an educated guess at the second issue (for Eric A). First a 20 is not that big a needle. Second you do have to have ggod veins. This process is different from drawing a blood sample, or even donating blood. When you have a blood sample taken, a relatively small needle is used. Blood is sucked out into a tube. This is done at the bodies normal pressure within the vein, or possibly, a slightly lower pressure (due to the lower pressure in the collection tube). When you donate plasma, the process starts out in a similar fashion except the needle is bigger. But then, you have to remember they remove whole blood, separate the whole blood into components and pump everything except the plasma back into your vein. The key word being PUMP. To get something back into a space, in this case your vein, you must overcome the pressure in that space by using a higher pressure. This pressure is more than the bodies normal pressure (only in this small space, it doesn't effect your blood pressure over-all). Ifyour veins aren't strong enough, they will "blow". If this happens the staff will have wasted time on you, a machine will need to be cleaned, a collection set will be wasted, they still have to pay you for your time, you took up a space that someone who could have completed the donation could have used, and they have no product because in almost every case, they can not use a partial donation. This is unfortunate for you, but you could see how this would negatively effect the business that collection centers actually are. Sorry you couldn't donate.
I have donated plasma 493 times and not once have I been paid for it since here in Canada, there has never been an option to donate for pay. I am aware of a new program starting this year, where donors will be compensated. Just your thought...does paying for a donation of blood or blood products compromise the safety of the system? In other words, do you believe that people who are hard up will be tempted to be less truthful when answering the health questions?
Of course, and anyone that says otherwise is being disingenuous. However, the screening process is extremely thorough, and the sample is tested. I recall my initial physical including a check of my inguinal lymph-nodes. The blood tests include looking at liver functions. I was once deferred because of an elevated ALT (or was it AST, sorry this was 15 years ago). I asked what (besides the obvious reason of screening for hepatitis) could cause elevated liver enzymes. They said not enough sleep, working out to much, and stress. I said, "lady you just described my life". Luckily it was nothing and they didn't permanently defer me. I donated again years later (and my liver enzymes are fine). I hope this helps.
i wanna donate for my need i want make money iam o positive guy and determine also pls call on 8600973186
Other Resources on Plasma Donation
- Plasma Donation
BioLife Plasma Donation Services - Donating Plasma
raquel 2 years ago
i lrft you my e mail so please try to answer me this question there... does it matter what blood type you are as far as the pay goes?