Donating your plasma can be rewarding and lucrative. Though it requires a bit more effort than regular blood donation, especially on your first visit, plasma donation is an easy way to ensure that millions of people in need get the medications and treatments they need.
Why People Need Plasma
Plasma, the clear or yellow-colored component of your blood, makes up just over half of your total blood volume and is what keeps the platelets and red and white cells circulating. It is essential in maintaining blood pressure because it is what carries the blood cells and the hormones, enzymes and nutrients that are found in the blood. Plasma is also the part of your blood that supplies the proteins necessary for blood clotting.
Donating your plasma can save lives in more ways than one. For example, unlike donated blood, which must be perfectly matched to the recipient's blood type, there are certain people who have universal plasma. Type AB can be given to anyone who needs it, so it is especially important for paramedics to have this on-hand during emergencies. It is also used in many medications, such as Albumin, which is used by paramedics to treat burn or shock victims. Other ways plasma is being used to better the lives of others are through immune dificiency boosters that are used to treat HIV, AIDS and chemotherapy patients and plasma protein therapies that help people suffering from rare and chronic diseases, such as hemophilia.
Finding a Donation Center
The Internet can be a great tool to help you find the donation center closest to you. There are over 300 International Quality Plasma Program certified donation centers in the United States alone. Online directories such as www.bloodbanker.com or www.donatingplasma.org can help you search by your zip code, state or by a specific company name. These are also helpful if you're looking for places to donate abroad, as you can search by country as well.
Before You Go
Once you find your closest donation center, your blood must be tested to make sure there are no abnormalities, in which case you will not be allowed to donate. After passing the blood test, you're on your way to becoming a successful plasma donor. Make sure you're nourished and hydrated before heading out. If it's your first visit, plan to spend about two hours at the donation center, as you'll have to undergo a physical exam, have your blood screened and donation itself usually takes about 45 minutes.
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