I Helped Change a Life...and Earned Disney Money:)

[kristenrice]

Today, after pondering the idea for a few weeks, I decided to become a plasma donor. I admit, the main reason I chose to become a donor was financial, but when I realized the many different, life-changing uses for plasma, it made the decision a lot easier. My mother, in fact, receives a plasma-derived injection to help boost her immune system that was destroyed by chemotherapy. I donated today and earned $25. I set up my next appointment for Thursday and if I am successful again, I will earn another $50. This was a "special" that they were offering for new donors. After that, the incentive varies, but it is never less than $20 per donation, and you can donate twice in a 7-day period. You receive bonuses for multiple donations per month so it can really add up. I tried twice last week, but each time, my red blood cell count (hematocrit) was too low, which is not uncommon in women. I started taking vitamins and eating more iron-rich foods, and today, I hit the minimum threshold.

After looking at my Disney budget for October, I realized that I will still be about $200 short. By donating plasma, I will make that up within a month. After that, I can start saving for the next trip. Disney doesn't quite cost an arm and a leg...but with all of the recent price hikes, my extra plasma has to go.

 

[danygirl]

how did you find a place to donate? my dad had a blood cancer and I would love to help folks plus make $$

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I tried twice last week, but each time, my red blood cell count (hematocrit) was too low, which is not uncommon in women. I started taking vitamins and eating more iron-rich foods, and today, I hit the minimum threshold.

Try floradix, it is an awesome iron supplement

 

[DawnM]

Great!

I can't donate blood or plasma.

 

[kristenrice]

how did you find a place to donate? my dad had a blood cancer and I would love to help folks plus make $$

Check BioLife Plasma Services. They are located in several states. There are only a handful in Michigan and I am fortunate to live about 5 miles from one.

 

[sunshine1178]

Today, after pondering the idea for a few weeks, I decided to become a plasma donor. I admit, the main reason I chose to become a donor was financial, but when I realized the many different, life-changing uses for plasma, it made the decision a lot easier. My mother, in fact, receives a plasma-derived injection to help boost her immune system that was destroyed by chemotherapy. I donated today and earned $25. I set up my next appointment for Thursday and if I am successful again, I will earn another $50. This was a "special" that they were offering for new donors. After that, the incentive varies, but it is never less than $20 per donation, and you can donate twice in a 7-day period. You receive bonuses for multiple donations per month so it can really add up. I tried twice last week, but each time, my red blood cell count (hematocrit) was too low, which is not uncommon in women. I started taking vitamins and eating more iron-rich foods, and today, I hit the minimum threshold.

After looking at my Disney budget for October, I realized that I will still be about $200 short. By donating plasma, I will make that up within a month. After that, I can start saving for the next trip. Disney doesn't quite cost an arm and a leg...but with all of the recent price hikes, my extra plasma has to go.

Once you meet your financial goals, please consider donating whole blood or platelets. The reason that plasma centers can pay you is that they sell their products to for-profit companies. Blood and platelets are given to patients directly.

 

[ecatzippy]

Donating plasma is a beautiful thing! My loved one and many of our friends rely on weekly plasma infusions from donations to survive primary immunodeficiency diseases. I know firsthand that plasma donations save and enhance lives. Thank you for donating!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Once you meet your financial goals, please consider donating whole blood or platelets. The reason that plasma centers can pay you is that they sell their products to for-profit companies. Blood and platelets are given to patients directly.

I second this, great info! I wish I could donate.

 

[KathyTX]

Once you meet your financial goals, please consider donating whole blood or platelets. The reason that plasma centers can pay you is that they sell their products to for-profit companies. Blood and platelets are given to patients directly.

Yes!!! The need for platelets and red blood is much more critical than for plasma.

My husband is recovering from a bone marrow transplant. Throughout his treatments, he's required more units of platelets and red blood than I can count- I'd guess somewhere between 70-80 units combined. This is typical for the leukemia patients we've met.

Please consider donating red cells or platelets if you can. Many cancer, transplant, heart surgery and trauma patients owe their lives to the generous donors of these products!

 

[KalamityJane]

I donate plasma as well, and use BioLife. I don't tolerate blood donation well, so this works better for me.

I find that drinking emergen-c helps keep my hematocrit high floradix is great but not in love with the taste.

 

[Marionnette]

My brother-in-law has hemochromatosis, a condition caused by having too much iron in his blood. He actually has to "purge" his system as a part of his treatment. The Red Cross won't take his donation because of his condition but he found an independent donation site that performs the procedure in exchange for his contribution. In his case, there is no monetary compensation but at least he doesn't have to pay OOP to get rid of his extra red cells (his insurance won't cover it). It's a win-win situation for him and the people his whole blood helps.

 

[Poohforyou]

While it is certainly a wonderful thing to do, it really isn't a donation if you're being paid for it. I'm sure there is the option to donate without compensation similar to blood donation.

 

[Marionnette]

While it is certainly a wonderful thing to do, it really isn't a donation if you're being paid for it. I'm sure there is the option to donate without compensation similar to blood donation.

I think the OP acknowledges that she is not doing this for altruistic reasons. There is still the added incentive of knowing that you are helping someone with your actions.

Like I said in a previous post, the Red Cross will not accept every donor. If my brother-in-law could just schedule his donations at a RC facility, his life would be a lot easier.

 

[disfanforlife]

Good for you!!!

 

[ecatzippy]

Thank you too KalamityJane! Each weekly infused dose of my child's gammaglobulin requires the mixing of antibodies from 10,000 to 50,000 plasma donors. You are our heroes. Thank you for giving our kids with primary immunodeficiency diseases their childhoods back!

 

[Eastern]

While it is certainly a wonderful thing to do, it really isn't a donation if you're being paid for it. I'm sure there is the option to donate without compensation similar to blood donation.

This is true. Some articles have said that paid plasma donations (plasma is then sold for a profit to companies) takes away from true donation to actual patients.

You can google 'plasma donation contamination' for a variety of articles about plasma donation.

These pay for plasma places are employing minimum wage workers who are not health professionals to take your plasma. At the very least, I would ask them to change gloves before they took my plasma. Apparently they are not required to unless there is an obvious tear or contamination of the glove.

 

[Green Tea]

I think this is selling your plasma. Not donating. If you give a blood donation through the American Red Cross or a similar organization, it is donating.

Making money doesn't diminish that you are helping ill people who need plasma, but doing it for money really takes away the "donation" aspect.

 

[ceecee]

I went with a friend who needed 3 donors to get a bonus. I weighed 98 lbs at the time. While laying there, I read a sign that said you must weigh 105! Close enough I thought and besides the needle was already in! Long story short I ended up dehydrated and really sick for 2 days. My Dr said next time just do blood! So I ended up paying $50 for my dr to tell me I was dehydrated. But my friend got her bonus at least.

 

[KalamityJane]

I think this is selling your plasma. Not donating. If you give a blood donation through the American Red Cross or a similar organization, it is donating. Making money doesn't diminish that you are helping ill people who need plasma, but doing it for money really takes away the "donation" aspect.

actually, ithe monetary compensation is for my time, the plasma is a donation.

 

[ecatzippy]

Our children with primary immunodeficiency diseases will infuse immunoglobulin through a pump every week, most likely forever in order to survive and thrive. Not one of us is concerned with why people donate plasma, we are just happy and grateful that they do. Their blood gives our children a chance to grow up. Let's support all of the donors no matter what form it takes.