sell plasma: Outside of a typical 9-to-5 job, there are many ways to make money. Donating plasma is one way you might not have thought of. If you don’t mind needles or blood and have a few extra hours, you could make extra money and help other people by donating plasma. What you need to know is listed below.
Why should I give blood plasma?
Plasma, which makes up about 55% of your blood, is the biggest single part of your blood. It is what is left after the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets have been taken out. It is made up of antibodies, enzymes, other proteins, water, and salt.
Plasma can’t be made in a lab, so people who need it have to get it from a donor. Donated plasma is used to make medicines that treat people with serious diseases and disorders, like haemophilia and primary immunodeficiency, as well as shock, burns, and other injuries. People who are hospitalised with severe cases of COVID-19 are being treated right now with plasma from patients who have recovered.
How do I do a plasma donation?
Before going to donate plasma, you should:
- Get plenty of rest the night before.
- Don’t drink for 24 hours before donating.
- On the day you donate, eat a meal but stay away from caffeine.
- Before your appointment, drink four to six glasses of water, juice, or another liquid without caffeine.
- Here’s what will happen when you go to the donation centre.
What to Count On
Check in. You’ll need to sign in and show an ID. If this is your first time donating, you may have to fill out some paperwork and watch a video about donating plasma.
Answer the questions for screening. You will be asked about your health, where you have travelled recently, and even your sexual history. All of these questions are meant to make sure that giving your plasma to other people is safe. A small amount of blood will be taken from your finger and tested right there.
A needle will be put into a vein in your arm, and a tube will be used to take your blood. The plasma will be separated from the red cells, white cells, and platelets in your blood. The same needle will be used to return these other parts to your body. Plasmapheresis is the name for this procedure.
During the donation, you will be sitting in a chair with your feet up. You shouldn’t move the arm where the needle is, but you can watch TV or read a book or magazine if you can do so with one hand.
It takes a little longer than donating whole blood because the blood has to be separated and then put back into your body. The first time you donate, it will take about two hours, and each time after that, it will take about an hour and a half.
After you give blood, have a drink and a snack and stay at the donation centre until you are sure you are not feeling faint or dizzy. After giving blood, you should drink more fluids and take it easy for the next 24 hours. Don’t lift anything heavy, and don’t do any exercises that are hard on your body. If you don’t feel good, call your doctor or the donation centre.
Your first donation can’t be used, so plasma donation centres are looking for people who can donate regularly. You can give again two days after your first donation, but you can only do it twice in a week.
How much can I make if I donate plasma?
Even though the Red Cross doesn’t pay plasma donors, there are a few private companies that do. How much you can earn depends on how many times you donate, your blood type, where the centre is, and other things.
You get paid for every donation you make, so the more often you give, the more money you can make.
Can Anyone Give Plasma?
You have to be at least 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds to give plasma. To make sure that your plasma is safe to give to other people, you will have to go through a medical history check.
Blood type AB+ is the universal plasma donor, which means that anyone can take plasma from a type AB+ donor. So, people who are AB+ and want to donate plasma are in high demand.
If you have recovered from COVID-19, you may be able to give convalescent plasma, which is being used to treat people with severe COVID-19.
Where Can I Give Blood?
Some hospitals and biomedical businesses ask for donations of plasma. The American Red Cross also gets donations of plasma. Visit DonatingPlasma.org and search for a location near you to find a plasma donation centre that pays for donations.
You can schedule a meeting online. Pay attention to what you need to bring to your first appointment. Different places need different kinds of identification.
Does It Pay Off?
You are the only one who can decide if giving plasma is worth it for you. It’s not a bad idea, since you could make good money in the time you would normally spend watching TV, and you could help a patient who really needs your help. Oh, and most donation centres let you watch TV while you give, so you can even catch up on that show you have been watching.
