sell plasma: Outside of a traditional 9-to-5 job, there are numerous opportunities for income. Donating plasma is one option that you might not have thought of. You could earn extra money and help others by donating plasma if you don’t mind needles or blood and have a few extra hours. What you need to know is provided below.
Why Should I Donate Plasma?
With approximately 55% of your blood being plasma, it is the most significant component of human blood. It is what is left over after the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets have been eliminated; it contains antibodies, enzymes, other proteins, water, and salt.
Donated plasma is the only source of plasma for those in need because it cannot be manufactured synthetically. Donated plasma is used to create therapies for people with a variety of serious illnesses and conditions, including haemophilia and primary immunodeficiency, as well as to treat shock, burns, and trauma. Hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 cases are currently being treated with plasma from recovered patients.
How Can I Donate Plasma?
You should:
- Get enough rest the night before.
- Before donating, abstain from alcohol for 24 hours.
- On the day of the donation, consume food but abstain from caffeine.
- In the few hours before your appointment, consume 4-6 glasses of water, juice, or another non-caffeinated liquid.
When you visit the donation centre, you can expect the following.
What to anticipate
- Become a member. You’ll have to check in and present identification. If this is your first donation, you might need to fill out paperwork, and some organisations might ask you to watch a video about plasma donation.
- Respond to the questions asked during the screening. You’ll be questioned about your health, recent travels, and even your sexual history. These inquiries are all meant to make sure that people can receive your plasma safely. You will be required to provide a small amount of blood from a finger stick, which will be evaluated there and then.
- Your blood will be drawn through a tube after a needle is inserted into a vein in your arm. Your blood’s red, white, and platelet components will be separated from the plasma. Through the same needle, these additional components will be returned to your body. Plasmapheresis is the term used to describe this procedure.
- You will be seated comfortably with your feet up while making the donation. As long as you can do it one-handedly, you can watch TV, read a book, or browse through a magazine while keeping the arm that the needle is in immobile.
- It takes a little longer than a donation of whole blood because the blood has to be separated and given back to your body. Your initial donation should take around two hours, and subsequent donations should take about an hour and a half.
- After giving, stay at the donation centre for a while to make sure you are not feeling lightheaded or faint after having a drink and a snack. After your donation, you should hydrate more and take it easy for the following 24 hours. Do not lift anything heavy, and refrain from engaging in any strenuous activity. Call your doctor or the donation centre if you’re not feeling well.
Plasma donation facilities are looking for people who can donate frequently because your first donation cannot be used. After your initial donation, you can make another two days later, but you can only make two donations in a seven-day period.
How much money can I make by donating plasma?
While the Red Cross does not compensate plasma donors, a number of private businesses do. The amount you can make varies based on the number of donations you make, your blood type, the center’s location, and other elements.
Each donation earns you money, so the more frequently you give, the more you can earn.
Who is eligible to donate plasma?
You must be at least 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds in order to donate plasma. To ensure that your plasma is secure to donate to others, you must pass a medical history examination.
Anyone can accept plasma from a donor with type AB+ blood, making it the universal plasma donor. Therefore, there is a great need for plasma donors who are AB+.
If you have recovered from COVID-19, you may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma, which is used to treat patients with severe COVID-19.
Where Can I Give Plasma?
Donations of plasma are gathered by some medical facilities and biotech businesses. Plasma donations are also gathered by the American Red Cross. Visit DonatingPlasma.org and perform a local search to find a plasma donation facility near you that will pay for donations.
Online appointment setting is available. Keep in mind that different locations may have specific identification requirements when determining what to bring to your initial appointment.
Is It Worth It?
You alone will have to decide whether or not it is worthwhile for you to donate plasma. It’s not a bad option when you consider that you could make some decent money in the time you might otherwise spend watching TV and helping a patient in need. Oh, and most donation centres allow you to watch TV while you donate, so you can even catch up on that show you have been watching.