Can You Really Make Money by Donating Plasma?
While it is technically legal to get money to donate blood, you are more likely to get a cookie or maybe a big bag for it. But donating plasma – the liquid part of your blood – is a little different: the process takes longer but also brings in more money, and you can expect to get home between $ 50 and $ 75 per session. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Plasma?
Blood plasma is the yellowish-transparent part of your blood made of water, enzymes, antibodies, and proteins. Plasma can be used to treat patients with injuries or burns, severe liver disease, immune diseases, and hemophilia. When you donate plasma, blood is taken from your hand and sent to a machine that splits your plasma, returning your red blood cells and platelets back to your body in sterile saline, which helps your body replace the removed plasma.
Plasma collected in the United States accounts for over 70 percent of the world’s supply, in part because it is one of the few countries that pays for donations.
Who can donate plasma?
Not all. To make a donation, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Weight 110 pounds or more
- Overall be in good health
- Before donating blood, undergo a medical examination by a medical professional and take a blood test.
As LendingTree points out , your eligibility may be affected by health issues – if you have a history of HIV or other infectious diseases, you will not be able to sell your plasma (see the Full List of American Red Cross Eligibility Criteria on their website if you are thinking of donating).
Another reason that donating plasma pays off is that it is a more complex process than donating blood. According to Money.com , if you donate plasma for the first time, expect it to take about two hours as your health history will be reviewed and you will receive a comprehensive physical examination. Return visits usually take about an hour.
How much money can you make?
According to Money.Com, each donation will net you approximately $ 50- $ 75 . The price varies depending on where you are and how much you weigh, as larger people can give more plasma. Donation centers usually pay you in prepaid debit cards, and they may pay a little more if you donate with them regularly or if you donate for the first time (the plasma donation business is competitive, so you can definitely shop around).
However, the question of how often you can donate is rather controversial, as technically the FDA allows private companies to accept donations from the same person every few days. However, as The Atlantic pointed out , overdoing it can lead to dehydration, fatigue, and dizziness . In addition, due to limitations in the body’s ability to regenerate plasma, studies show that too frequent revisiting leads to degraded plasma quality . This is why the Red Cross restricts plasma donation once every 28 days.
Where can I donate?
You can start by searching DonatingPlasma.org to find a donation center near you that is certified by the International Plasma Quality Program (IQPP) (IQPP stands for Industry Quality Standard Certification). You can also find donation centers near you in the following directories: