Donating plasma is similar to donating blood, but donating plasma isn’t as talked about; though it is just as important if not more. Plasma is the yellowish colored watery substance in your blood. The donation process is similar in a few ways in that you stick a large needle in your arm and you have to be very hydrated and healthy. In a process called plasmapheresis, the machine separates your plasma from your whole blood. Once the machine reaches maximum capacity, it disburses your whole blood back into your arm. A very little amount of people eligible to donate plasma actually do. Plasma is primarily used for rare genetic diseases and to treat burn victims. There are several rewarding pros and a few scary cons, but overall, donating your plasma is worth it.
Pro: donors get financially compensated for their donation.
I am a college student, and sometimes I struggle with money. Donating not only helps me financially, but I feel good about the process. I live down the road from a BioLife center and I make it a habit to try to donate twice a week every week. Depending on the program near you, there will likely be a difference in monetary compensation. Mine, however, starts at twenty dollars the first day and fifty dollars the second. They also run a lot of programs where you can get extra money by referring someone or coupons for new donors that give you an extra amount per donation.
Con: if you don’t like needles, this isn’t for you.
This process uses a needle to get the plasma from your arm. If you have a problem with needles, I suggest staying away from donating. Personally, once the needle has been there for a second, the pain virtually goes away. It’s not a painful process by any means, though for some it can be considered uncomfortable.
Pro: an experienced technician will handle your blood and needles.
You start your donation process by answering an online questionnaire, and then you head over to a technician to get your vitals and blood checked. They’ll prick a finger of your choosing to test your blood and then they check your weight and vital signs. This step is important because if your levels aren’t at the required level, you can’t donate that day. If your signs are good, they’’ send you back to get you started. Your good health is pertinent to the life of the person receiving your plasma, and also yourself.
Con: Frequent donation can lead to vein collapse, dehydration, low calcium levels, fainting, and fatigue.
Plasma is made up of 90% water. Keeping hydrated is extremely important for your health. To help with dehydration after your donation, your center will then disburse a saline drip into your vein. It’s pretty cold, but otherwise helpful. In order to ward off fainting and fatigue, some people get extra sleep and start taking iron and other vitamin supplements. You should try to eat pretty well the day before and the day of because it helps the process. I’ve read that sugary cereals are good before a donation. I personally started taking a multivitamin, D3, and an iron supplement to aid my recovery.
Pro: your donation is saving lives.
Donating your plasma goes into saving people who suffer from Leukemia, severe burns, surgeries, or others. More specifically, plasma is used for clotting disorders, where the victim cannot clot their blood and may result in internal bleeding or death. It’s also used for immunoglobulin or IVIG- there are more than 150 primary immune deficiency disorders where individuals have improperly functioning immune systems and don’t respond to antibiotics and more. Your donation will also help with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin which is commonly known as genetic emphysema. This disease may result in very serious lung disease in adults and lung/ and or liver disease in children. Your donation will also help a wide variety of other issues as well.
Con: Unregulated donations are risky business.
There are some centers that don’t monitor the health of the donor, which is very problematic for the recipient and the donor himself. In the 60s, there was an HIV outbreak in the US spurring from the use of unregulated plasma. In the 90s, thousands of Chinese reported that they contracted Hepatitis C and AIDS dude to improper sterilization and bad needles.
Pro: regular donation improves health.
There are scientific studies showing that donating is good for the overall health of the donor. The donor always knows the status of their health. By donating plasma or whole blood regularly, you allow your circulatory system to start anew, creating new and healthy blood.
Pro: you can feel good about helping those in need.
If you’re like me, the thought of helping someone who needs it is intensely rewarding. I don’t mind donating my plasma because I know it’s going to children and adults who really need it more than I do. It’s a fairly simple process, and I don’t mind spending an hour of my time if it means helping those in need.
