Plasma Donation: How to sell your blood for $260 a month

Let 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.

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.

This is a great claymation video by Howcast that describes the plasma donation process.

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.

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

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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