Ever donate plasma?

[dakcp2001]

What was it like? How much did they pay you? Was the center clean? How was the crowd in there?

 

[shortbun]

Years ago I donated plasma a couple of times. I don't remember what I was paid then but it was over 30 years ago. It was clean and the people working there were nice. I don't remember the other people who donated.

 

[winniedapooh]

I donated many times years ago, about 25 or so. Never got paid--didn't know you could. Did it at a hospital and it was clean--the people were nice.

 

[powellrj]

DS is in college and its really popular with college kids. I want to say he was paid like $25 for one time and it goes up the more you go. It was some wacky schedule, if you gave so many times a month you made more than if you just gave a few times.

He isn't the best person to go by because right after he started going, he got mono and didn't go for many months later, but once he started going back, he said it was really draining for him so he stopped. I really wish he hadn't gone back because I can't help but think that made his recovery longer.

 

[Muushka]

I think the proper language would be:

Have you ever sold your plasma?

If you get paid for it, it is not a donation!

That being said, no, I never sold my plasma. But good luck!

 

[torinsmom]

They still call it donation; you will never find a Plasma Selling Center. To me, it's just like when you donate to a charity and get a t-shirt or a tax write off or both. Since you got something, should it not be called a donation? A donation is defined as a "an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution". Plasma donation is definitely a contribution. The time it takes to donate plasma is definitely longer than donating whole blood. I think if society had to count on enough people donating plasma without being paid, there would not be enough of a supply for the medical uses or research.We can agree to disagree though.

OP--I did this in college, 20 years ago. The place I used was clean and the process was pretty easy. They did a long screening before the first donation(all kinds of blood tests). After that, they did a finger prick to check for iron and checked temperature and things like that before donations. Then they took you to a room where you laid on a exam table. They put in a needle that takes out your blood and then it spins and the plasma comes out. The red blood cells, along with a drip of saline(I think) go back into your body. This repeats until they collect the required amount of plasma.

I don't know how much it pays now, but 20 years ago, I got $15 the first time each week and $20 the second time. You could only donate twice in 7 days. If your iron or anything else was not normal, you could not donate. I used to make sure to eat red meat the night before donation, so my iron would be high enough.

 

[sbpebbles]

I did this a few years ago..In my area you get paid $20 for the first visit of the week and then $30 for the second..You had to wait at least 2 days in between visits..and they check your iron, weight and protein levels..several times I had an appointment and when it came time to actually donate my iron wouldn't be good enough so I was sent home..I am also very close to the weight limit, at 28 yrs old I'm only 110lbs..The ppl who work there had their good days and their bad days..I usually brought a long a book or magazine to read while I was donating..The place i went to was VERY clean and well organized..My friend who would donate at the same time as me had issues on several occasions so she hasn't gone back..I'd go back but it does get very draining and I don't want to put my body through all that again

 

[azdizzymom]

I did 2 years ago....and I was in early 40's then. Did it a a BIOLIFE place. It was clean. First step was to have a physical there...it is required. It took a couple of hours if I remember correctly and then you can donate right after that. At each donation they weigh you and check your blood (do a prick on your finger). Once that is done then you donate. It takes about 1 hour or so....depends how 'fast' you are. You do get chilled so lots of people bring blankets or sweater. I took a book and would read...or take IPod. You can do twice weekly and pay rate varies...sometimes bonuses. It goes on a debit card that you can use anywhere or go to ATM to get cash. I paid for our Disney rental car this way. I would do it again....place clean and mainly 'normal' people but some with the tattoos and stuff but they were always nice. IDK if Biolife is the place in your area but website explains it all.

Hope that helps!

 

[ceecee]

I did it once with a friend who got paid extra for bringing in friends! I got $30 it was painless and took about an hour. No effects until later that day when I came down with flu like symptoms and was down the whole weekend, went to Dr and spent $20 for the co-pay. He said to call the place and see about their weight guidelines, turns out they should not have done it on me since I weighed 92 lbs and the limit was 105 lb. Obviously, I couldn't do it again. My friend did it for a while though and never had any problems, she weighed around 140 lbs though.

 

[Swalphin]

I wanted to add the person who is the recipient of the plasma will be very grateful to you so it is a donation IMOP
Having to get plasma usually means you are not in the best of shape.

 

[tinkmom2]

I went to a plasma center once in a not so good side of town when I was in college. I walked out. The place was gross! There they paid you for your participation.
Back in highschool I signed up at our local blood center to be a bone marrow and plasma donor. After a 18 year wait I was selected to donate bone marrow for someone with leukemia. I have also donated plasma several times.
The plasma you sit in a chair and your blood is taken out the plasma seperated and your blood is given back to you.
The bone marrow donation is a bit more involved but both are worth it just to know you are helping someone in need.

 

[torinsmom]

I've been in the marrow registry for years and have never been called. I don't know if they would take my marrow now anyway, because I had a dura graft and they used bovine(cow) dura. I can't give whole blood anymore and I'm sure I couldn't give plasma either. I imagine bone marrow is related, but I would cross that bridge if they every contacted me.

I never had any bad reactions from giving plasma. I was about 130 lbs at the time. For some reason, I always felt better physically after I gave plasma. Same for giving blood, when I used to do that.

 

[it's kelly]

I was a regular platelet donor for my bestfriends son. I went directly to the cancer center where he received treatment to give my platelets. It was actually quite simple. It took between 1.5-2 hours because they take and give back thru the same IV, so you always have a free arm/hand. I don't find it painful at all, maybe just a little uncomfy when you're getting your blood back in.

 

[casjen]

I am very petite and I don't weigh enough to donate blood. I would love to do it but I can't. If you're under 110lbs they won't take you. Just an FYI.

That said as a teenager I had a freakish reaction to a sulfa based antibiotic and needed a plasma transfusion. I would so love to "pay it back". Thanks to anyone who does!!

 

[Ppufi]

Beig as I am underweight and went through cancer treatment twice, I doubt I could donate blood or plasma. Thank you to the donators though; it is much appreciated by the patients of the world.

 

[zianha]

I first did this many years ago back in college but started going regularly since March 2010 when I was laid off of my job of almost 14 years. I'm a single mom so any extra income I get is awesome but now I use 80% of the money I get from "donating" for my Disney Vacation Fund!

The place I went to back in the day, actually was kind of gross and I stopped going back then because it just didn't seem safe after a while. Where I go NOW is very clean and has what I consider more of a hospital feel and the employees are nice and friendly. I think I was told that I was donating the blood plasma but getting paid to compensate me for my time.

Anyway, like a previous poster said, you can only go twice in a 7 day period and your iron and protein have to be so high or you aren't allowed to do it for a specific amount of days.

I get $30 the first time in a week and $40 the second time that week. The place I go to only does a $10 bonus on your 6th donation in a calendar month. But this gets me atleast $290 a month.

Needles don't bother me so it's a very easy process for me. There are certain employees who "stick" better than others and I always request the ones who do it without causing me any pain at all. I go early in the morning on the days I donate so there are never big crowds. On average, from the time I get there til the time I leave, I'm in there about an hour. 40 mins of that is the actual donation time.

HTH!!

ETA: The place I go is called OctaPharma Plasma. You do have to undergo a physical the first time which takes longer but then it's only about an hour after that time. You usually go "faster" if you're hydrated. I eat a non-greasy meal and drink plenty of water the night before and the morning of and it helps me get done the fasted I've found. I'm sure every place is different but I used to get paid in cash from an ATM at the center (they used to give each person a unique code and you had to enter your b-date to withdraw) but now they pay by check.

 

[weezyree]

I think the proper language would be:

Have you ever sold your plasma?

If you get paid for it, it is not a donation!

That being said, no, I never sold my plasma. But good luck!

This was a rude way to answer someone's question. If you have nothing nice to say or simply want to critique the way they write, then maybe DisBoards is not the place for you. Remember, Disney is the happiest place on earth but you sure can make someone uncomfortable.

To the original question asked:

They are considered donations because you are being paid for your time and not your plasma. Plasma has a shelf life of a year if immediately frozen. If the center also filters the platelets, they are only good for three days. In this case, many of the platelets collected for emergency situations come from the donor centers.

These centers are FDA regulated and inspected by them. This means the same testing that takes place for blood donations takes place for plasma donations. (Tests are HIV I and II, HTLV I and II, Syphyllis, Hep B and C, ABO typing and your RH factor)

Granted, most of the patrons are not from the swanky neighborhoods in town, but are in general good people who are just trying to make ends meet. They made need money for rent, gas or food. Their appearance, the way they dress or the cars they drive are not indicitive of the kind of person they are.

As for donor centers being in 'bad' parts of town...again, the swanky folks in town are not the donors, the lower-income people are so why build where they can't get to donate.

I have personally donated when I was in the Army a long time ago when I needed money for gas, but don't recall the money I received. My cousin and her husband are an Army family as well and donate and it varies on how much they recieve. They get a bonus for referrals. They have gotten between $35 and $65 and you can only donate 24 times in a year starting from your first donation.

I would check out the local Plasma Center and ask questions if need be. Good Luck and it's a good thing to give to those that need it. Emergencies happen every day and the plasma, blood or platelets you donate save lives!!

 

[weezyree]

What was it like? How much did they pay you? Was the center clean? How was the crowd in there?

See my answer to some of your questions in reply number 17!

 

[Muushka]

This was a rude way to answer someone's question. If you have nothing nice to say or simply want to critique the way they write, then maybe DisBoards is not the place for you. Remember, Disney is the happiest place on earth but you sure can make someone uncomfortable.

To the original question asked:

They are considered donations because you are being paid for your time and not your plasma. Plasma has a shelf life of a year if immediately frozen. If the center also filters the platelets, they are only good for three days. In this case, many of the platelets collected for emergency situations come from the donor centers.

These centers are FDA regulated and inspected by them. This means the same testing that takes place for blood donations takes place for plasma donations. (Tests are HIV I and II, HTLV I and II, Syphyllis, Hep B and C, ABO typing and your RH factor)

Granted, most of the patrons are not from the swanky neighborhoods in town, but are in general good people who are just trying to make ends meet. They made need money for rent, gas or food. Their appearance, the way they dress or the cars they drive are not indicitive of the kind of person they are.

As for donor centers being in 'bad' parts of town...again, the swanky folks in town are not the donors, the lower-income people are so why build where they can't get to donate.

I have personally donated when I was in the Army a long time ago when I needed money for gas, but don't recall the money I received. My cousin and her husband are an Army family as well and donate and it varies on how much they recieve. They get a bonus for referrals. They have gotten between $35 and $65 and you can only donate 24 times in a year starting from your first donation.

I would check out the local Plasma Center and ask questions if need be. Good Luck and it's a good thing to give to those that need it. Emergencies happen every day and the plasma, blood or platelets you donate save lives!!

Um. What can I say? I guess you understand everything much better than I ever could.

For the record, I am aware of where I am. I have been on these boards for a while now.
I am also a blood banker, who understands what a donation is. I have seen shelves go empty because people did not DONATE.

 

[DawnM]

I donated in college in the late 80s. I think I did it for about 3 months. I still have scars! They don't bother me, but it did leave scars.

Dawn