Selling plasma...

[gasperdam]

I have been looking high and low to find an additional PT job to help us get back to Disney in November of this year, but to no avail.

I am thinking of selling blood plasma in order to save up enough to fund our trip.

I'm curious; are there any other DisERs that do this?

Thanks!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Good idea and it goes to a good cause, tried this once way back when I was just 18...left after two hours almost fainted with a bruise half the size of my arm.. but everyone else I know of that has donated has not had one problem..I remember the lady saying come back in 5 days and you will get another twenty five dollars..I was like HECKKKKKK NOOOOO!!!!

 

[Eeyore98]

Haven't done it myself, but I think continuing to look for a PT job (even fast food or something) would be more lucrative. The donation center here pays $20, and you can donate a max of twice a week.

 

[baldy6060]

I donate twice a week. I get $20 for 1st and $30 for 2nd donation each week. Plus there are incentives for donating 5 or more times a month (extra money or entries into drawings for great prizes). I am saving up this month for a rental car for my next Disney trip. Then I will save up the rest of this year's donation $ either for Christmas or Disney trip money. I don't know if there are any BioLife Plasma Centers near you but if you go to their website you can find out, plus there is a video showing you the process. I've donated for about 2 years. I've had one bad bruise. I don't mind the needles anymore but I still hate getting the finger prick to check my vitals. The whole process is totally tolerable and gets even more so over time. And you can be proud that it helps people who are in dire need of your plasma. Go for it!

 

[weezyree]

It is a great way to bring in some extra money, but be mindful time is money.

If you find an evening where you can sit and read while you donate, go for it!!

Eat before you go and keep Gatorade on hand. Some times you have to sit and wait for your turn and then you get hungry. I use to take snacks.

A part-time job would of course be more useful because you can determine exactly how much money you will make based on how many hours you work.

Be mindful as well that you can only donate a total of 24 times per year. That limits how much money you will make.

 

[baldy6060]

Maybe some places limit how many times you can donate each year but like I said I donate twice a week every week unless I get too many work hours so you can donate approximately 104 times a year. As long as it is no more than twice in a 7 day period and there is a day in between each donation.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I donate and do not get paid. If you are being paid, it isn't a "donation" These places that pay you, who gets the plasma? Do they have to pay?

 

[mom2_3girls]

I donate and do not get paid. If you are being paid, it isn't a "donation" These places that pay you, who gets the plasma? Do they have to pay?

I will chime in. My daughter is one of those that benefit from people donating plasma. She was diagnosed with an Immune Deficiency when she was 4 years old...her body lacks the ability to fight infections and make memory to different viruses and bacteria (when we tested her she was up to date on all her shots and when they checked her bloodwork, her body didn't make any titers to her vaccines). Every month she receives IVIG (Intervenious Immunogloubins) which is made from donated plasma. It takes over 1,000 donations just to make 1 infusion...this infusion allows my daughter to live a normal life! I guess we do technically have to pay for it since its a "medication", but our insurance covers it. One infusion with supplies involved costs up around $4,000.00. Thankfully, we have awesome insurance and only pay 1,000.00 out of pocked before she's covered 100%.

I say please donate...not just to make a few bucks...but to help kids and adults just like my daughter (IVIG is also used for many other diseases). There have been times where there is a shortage and some people cannot get there immunogloubins.

 

[baldy6060]

Thanks for posting that, mom2 3girls. That's the best incentive for donating of all.

 

[crashbb]

I will chime in. My daughter is one of those that benefit from people donating plasma. She was diagnosed with an Immune Deficiency when she was 4 years old...her body lacks the ability to fight infections and make memory to different viruses and bacteria (when we tested her she was up to date on all her shots and when they checked her bloodwork, her body didn't make any titers to her vaccines). Every month she receives IVIG (Intervenious Immunogloubins) which is made from donated plasma. It takes over 1,000 donations just to make 1 infusion...this infusion allows my daughter to live a normal life! I guess we do technically have to pay for it since its a "medication", but our insurance covers it. One infusion with supplies involved costs up around $4,000.00. Thankfully, we have awesome insurance and only pay 1,000.00 out of pocked before she's covered 100%.

I say please donate...not just to make a few bucks...but to help kids and adults just like my daughter (IVIG is also used for many other diseases). There have been times where there is a shortage and some people cannot get there immunogloubins.

See, I DONATE my plasma - I give my plasma and get nothing for it (well, I get juice and cookie). If people are getting money for it, they are not donating it - they are selling it. That is fine (just not legal where I live), but should be refered to as selling and not donating (which is what, I think, the PP was commenting on).

 

[torinsmom]

Even if you donate the plasma, the person receiving it will be billed for it. Just like if you donate blood, whoever gets it will be billed for it as well. In the case of being paid for donating plasma, you are really being paid for your time and not the plasma. I donated in college, twice a week most weeks. After college, I donated whole blood through the red cross until I had surgery that involved a bovine graft and was told I could not longer donate.

OP, it was an easy process for me, as I bleed pretty easily. I just took a good book and laid back and enjoyed the quiet time.

 

[DisneyEater]

How long does the process usually take?

 

[torinsmom]

How long does the process usually take?

The actual process of the donation takes about an hour for most people. The place I went did not take appts. so it was hard to say how long it would take total. I would get there, then spend maybe 10 minutes getting screened(they check some things before every donation) and then either do my donation or wait until there was a table available to give my donation.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I do it while my DD dances *4 hours, 2 evenings a week* it doesn't take me that long.... I do it to pay for her dance lessons/competitions/costumes. I haven't in a while, OT has been offered the last few weeks at my job, I make a lot more $$ doing that.

 

[baldy6060]

The first donation may take an hour and a half or 2 because of the physical and such. Should only take an hour or so each time after. Eat a meal high in protein before you go and drink plenty of water the day before and it'll go much more smoothly.

 

[neetze1]

I will chime in. My daughter is one of those that benefit from people donating plasma. She was diagnosed with an Immune Deficiency when she was 4 years old...her body lacks the ability to fight infections and make memory to different viruses and bacteria (when we tested her she was up to date on all her shots and when they checked her bloodwork, her body didn't make any titers to her vaccines). Every month she receives IVIG (Intervenious Immunogloubins) which is made from donated plasma. It takes over 1,000 donations just to make 1 infusion...this infusion allows my daughter to live a normal life! I guess we do technically have to pay for it since its a "medication", but our insurance covers it. One infusion with supplies involved costs up around $4,000.00. Thankfully, we have awesome insurance and only pay 1,000.00 out of pocked before she's covered 100%.

I say please donate...not just to make a few bucks...but to help kids and adults just like my daughter (IVIG is also used for many other diseases). There have been times where there is a shortage and some people cannot get there immunogloubins.

I totally agree. I have a son that also needed IVIG and was most grateful for the doners! I donate blood often because I have seen children in need suffering and waiting for much needed transfusions. Please donate often.

 

[levenhopper]

I will chime in. My daughter is one of those that benefit from people donating plasma. She was diagnosed with an Immune Deficiency when she was 4 years old...her body lacks the ability to fight infections and make memory to different viruses and bacteria (when we tested her she was up to date on all her shots and when they checked her bloodwork, her body didn't make any titers to her vaccines). Every month she receives IVIG (Intervenious Immunogloubins) which is made from donated plasma. It takes over 1,000 donations just to make 1 infusion...this infusion allows my daughter to live a normal life! I guess we do technically have to pay for it since its a "medication", but our insurance covers it. One infusion with supplies involved costs up around $4,000.00. Thankfully, we have awesome insurance and only pay 1,000.00 out of pocked before she's covered 100%.

I say please donate...not just to make a few bucks...but to help kids and adults just like my daughter (IVIG is also used for many other diseases). There have been times where there is a shortage and some people cannot get there immunogloubins.

Glad to see another family using IVIG on here. There aren't a lot of us, so it's always nice to see another family. My dad, sister, and I all have CVID, and get monthly infusions. Hope all is going well for you.

To everyone else, thank you in advance if you decide to donate. It really does change lives for those of us who use plasma products.

 

[Sally]

I worked at the plasma bank while I was in nursing school.
The first time the process takes a bit due to the physical, take several snacks and bottle of water, even if you ate before you came in and got on the list. Drink at least 2 liters of water the day before, the donating goes faster when you are hydrated. Always eat a small meal after you donate, you will be hungry.
Our center did not allow food or drinks on the donation floor so what you had to eat and drink before you got on the table is it until you are done with the donation. You can donate twice a week with at least one day between donations. If you do not weigh over 100 pounds you can not donate, also at our center if we can not find your veins easily, or we can not get a blood pressure cuff over your arm, you can not donate, happens very rarely.
Our center based the amount of plasma taken by weight, so someone who is at the lowest amount (640ml) could be done in 45 minutes whereas someone who gives a full bottle (980 ml) can take over an hour. We also based the amount paid on the donation amount.
If you are dehydrated it will take longer to finish your donation. You can not leave the table during the donation, so potty before you get on the table.
The plasma can save lives and if you can donate it really helps others.