We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGeek

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

How do I Donate Blood Plasma?

By Ron Marr
Updated May 16, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

While plasma donor centers may not exist in many rural areas, they are almost always present in urban areas and college towns. In years past, before the need arose to screen blood against deadly viruses and diseases, many street people or homeless individuals were known to donate blood plasma. This is hardly ever the case in these times, due to the risk of such maladies as AIDS and hepatitis.

A plasma donation is not the same thing as a blood donation. Plasma is a substance in the blood, the liquid portion that carries hormones, vitamins, blood cells, and platelets through the body. Its medical uses are myriad. Plasma is used as an anticoagulant for hemophiliacs, and is critical in many areas of medical research and development.

A person who wishes to donate blood plasma will need to jump through a few hoops and navigate some red tape on his first visit to a center. They should set aside a few hours on this initial trip. The donor will undergo a thorough screening, and numerous questions will be asked regarding medical history, sexual history, drug use, allergies, foreign travel, lifestyle, and much more. Again, the donor centers do not take risks when it comes to blood-borne viruses or diseases.

Assuming one passes the interrogation, a blood test will be taken. If all appears to be well, then a person may donate blood plasma. The process is simple, but it does take some time.

The donor is hooked up to the appropriate machinery, and blood is extracted from a vein in their arm. The blood goes into a device much like a centrifuge, and the plasma is separated from the other blood products. Then, the blood cells are pumped back into the body. This cycle will repeat several times, until the appropriate amount of plasma has been harvested.

The collection process should be completed within ninety minutes, at which time the donor will be provided with liquids, possibly given some cash, and sent on their way. Payments for plasma donation average out at about $25 US Dollars (USD), but there are also many opportunities to donate plasma out of the goodness of one's heart. One can usually donate blood plasma as often as twice per week.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By anon153399 — On Feb 17, 2011

I am a blood donor in Calif. I recently came to the Fort Worth, Texas area and wanted to donate plasma and was turned down.

I'm having a hard time understanding and can't seem to get a reasonable answer from the company that collects the plasma. I have a ccs in situ cancer, and Bowen's disease, which was diagnosed in the 1980's.

I have never had chemo, radiation or any type of medication. When I did have a flare up, the cancer was cut out and stitched, and now it would be lasered, which hasn't had to happen for several years.

I see a doctor at UCSF MT Zion now every nine months. It was every six months for the first few years. I expect it to go to every year upon my next visit. Does anyone know why I shouldn't be able to give plasma, when my blood is totally acceptable?

By minombre — On Mar 14, 2010

Some people actually donate blood plasma to make some extra money. I am aware of one example where two times a week the volunteer is donating blood plasma for $20 per donation. I suppose that is the maximum one can give in a given time.

After all the body needs time to replenish the removed plasma.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.