Plasma Donation

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 12, 2005

I wanted to but because I have a history of fainting (not related to volume loss or anything) I'm permanently deferred from donating. blah. We could have used the extra money too.

NurseFirst · Feb 12, 2005

I wanted to but because I have a history of fainting (not related to volume loss or anything) I'm permanently deferred from donating. blah. We could have used the extra money too.

I only know about the places where you can donate blood with no

remuneration.

Thanks,

NurseFirst

hypnotic_nurse · Feb 12, 2005

It is good advise to drink a lot of water before you go. Plus have a decent size meal beforehand. One time I went and apparently didn't have enough to eat/drink and I ended up passing out. I was standing in line to collect my $10 bill when I blacked out, fell backwards and hit my head on the cold concrete floor. I was okay, just a little embarrased.

The only time I donated plasma, I passed out in the parking lot (one of those places that pay you), and was out enough that I lost all bladder function. That was bad enough, but no one helped me; just left me lying there..and there were people coming and going.

I've been donating whole blood since I was 16, but if I were to donate plasma again, I wouldn't do it for pay, just because of that experience.

AnnaN5 · Feb 13, 2005

The places where you can donate plasma for money are a little more lax on their requirements then places like the Red Cross. This is because places that pay you for your plasma/blood are not able to use it in transfusions, it is only used for research. Since blood/plasma/platelets are considered a pharmaceutical product by the FDA, they do not allow people to be paid for their donation.

I just thought I would add that bit of info in case anyone was wondering.

land64shark · Feb 13, 2005

The place I used to "donate" plasma at paid their donors $15 for the first donation and $20 for the 2nd in the same week. They said that they were technically paying you for your time, not your plasma since that is illegal. Yeah, right. Whatever. Then how come they paid more for plasma containing antibodies and such when it takes the same amount of time to donate? (Actually it takes less time because they get preferential treatment and jump right to the front of the line.) Anyway, I have permanent track marks too.

kahumai, RN · Feb 13, 2005

Wow! I'm broke but don't want track marks. How many times do you have to donate before you get them? Can I only go a few times and be okay?