How Much Do You Get for Donating Your Blood Plasma?

Sure, you can donate your plasma to the Red Cross for free.

But, did you know that centers like this actually sell the blood or plasma you donate to hospitals?

So, you give away your blood for the center to profit from – which is usually about $180 to $300 per pint!

Also, since the process can be quite lengthy, it’s not a bad thing to want to get paid for your time.

Several plasma collection centers therefore compensate you for your time and donation.

Most healthy individuals can even donate twice in one week to certain centers, so it’s a good way to earn some side income for your time.

Many people don’t know that they can make money through donating plasma, so I’m going to outline the process and how much you can get paid.

I’ll also point you in the direction of donation centers located all over the United States that will pay for your donation.

It’s a win-win situation for everyone, really.

You get paid, but in turn, you’re helping to save the lives of others.

Why Donate?

Plasma is the liquid part of your blood that carries red and white blood cells through your body.

It’s mostly made of water, but makes up over half of the blood volume in the body.

It’s obviously important stuff!

Plasma helps maintain things like blood pressure, protein balance, immunity, and proper blood flow.

Donating plasma can help those in need in so many ways. But, the ways it helps can differ a bit from a whole blood donation.

An accident or emergency where a person loses a significant amount of blood, for example, may require him to have a transfusion with donor blood that includes plasma, red, and white blood cells.

Plasma, on the other hand, is used more to treat conditions and diseases.

It’s often used in therapies for patients with:

• Bleeding disorders that prevent the blood from clotting properly
• Severe burns
• Hereditary conditions that can affect organs
• Organ transplants
• Immune deficiency disorders
• Tetanus or rabies

Plasma is donated less than whole blood, mostly because it is more time-consuming and a more involved process.

But, it’s just as important in saving lives.

How Does Plasma Donation Work?

The process to donate plasma is different than donating blood.

With blood, you donate through a needle inserted into your vein that draws the blood out.

Plasma, however, is donated through a procedure called plasmapheresis.

Donation centers use special machines to complete the process, which help to separate the plasma from the other components: the white and red blood cells.

You’ll still have blood removed from your arm with a needle, but the line from the needle will be hooked up the machine.

You’ll have to remain hooked up until the process is complete, which takes between 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the center.

Fortunately, most centers let you lay down, bring a book or headphones, and do whatever you need to feel comfortable during the process.

Each time you prepare to donate, you’ll likely need to fill out a health questionnaire to make sure you’re in optimal health to donate.

A nurse may check your vitals and will likely draw a small blood sample during this screening process.

If it’s your first donation, you may need a more involved physical exam.

Non-first-time donors may still need to have a physical every year to continue to donate.

As long as your health meets the center’s standards, you’ll head back to the donation area to being plasmapheresis.

You’ll likely have to remain at the center for a short time after the process is complete to make sure you don’t get sick or dizzy.

Many centers offer a snack and drink to give you some energy and help replenish your blood supply.

Are There Any Risks Involved?

Donating plasma carries many of the same side effects of donating blood.

But, since it’s a longer process, the side effects can be more profound in some individuals.

Most people are completely fine after they donate, and the process, in general, is very safe.

However, some side effects that may occur include:

• Dizziness
• Feeling cold
• Feeling faint
• Blurred vision
• Nausea or abdominal cramps

More serious side effects are extremely rare, but can happen.

These include seizures, numbness in the limbs, and severe stomach cramping.

If any of these occur after your donation, contact the donation center immediately.

It will assist you in the best course of action.

Donation Requirements

Of course, requirements for different donation centers may vary.

But, there are a few things that most can agree on about their donors.

Generally, these are the requirements you need to meet to donate plasma:

• Must be at least 18 years old and no older than 69
• Must weigh at least 110 pounds (as required by the FDA)
• Must not have had any tattoos or body piercings within the past 12 months
• Must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Must discuss all current medications with staff; some may disqualify you
• Must have a healthy diet and be in overall good health
• Those with HIV or AIDS cannot donate; some other infectious diseases may also disqualify you
• Must not have had a blood transfusion in the past 12 months
• Certain surgeries and transplants may disqualify you
• You’ll need to bring adequate identification (photo ID, Social Security card, etc.) and proof of address to your appointment

How Much Do You Get for Donating Plasma?

Your compensation varies between centers.

But, on average, you can expect between $20 to $50 per donation.

Not bad, considering that it will take an hour and a half at the most.

Some centers have a flat rate for plasma donations, whereas others will pay more if they’re able to get more plasma from you.

Of course, this depends on your weight.

Those with higher weights can generally give more plasma, so they may get compensated a bit more from centers with this compensation model.

Many centers offer incentives to get more donations, like coupons for extra money for donations or prizes to encourage you to donate more.

To have the healthiest plasma, centers like to see their donors donate twice per week, so they do things like this to keep you coming in, especially if you’re a perfect plasma donor candidate.

So, keep an eye out for things like this from different centers.

Just remember, you’re better off sticking to one center, since you can only usually donate twice per week.

You’ll likely earn more loyalty with a center by sticking with it and coming in frequently, which could even earn you a higher compensation.

Read More: How Much Do You Get Paid for Sperm Donation? What’s the Process?

How Do You Get Your Funds?

Plasma donation centers used to pay donors in cash after a successful plasma donation.

Some still do.

But, most are switching over to a prepaid debit card.

This is great for donors because it loads your funds electronically right to your card.

No more worrying about losing your cash, and you can also use the card to pay your bills!

In most cases, your funds are loaded to the card immediately after you donate, so it’s a quick and simple process.

Tips for Making More by Donating Blood Plasma

Although some centers will let donors give their blood plasma twice a week, this is only allowed if you remain in good health as determined by the clinic.

The thing is, if your iron gets too low from giving away your blood, you start feeling sick after donations, or you tend to eat unhealthy meals the majority of the time, you’re probably not going to be able to keep donating on a regular basis to maximize your income.

This is one of those things where it truly pays to be healthy (not just for you, but for those getting your blood plasma too!).

If you remain in good shape and your body seems to bounce back quickly after donations, you should be able to stick to the twice-weekly schedule.

However, testing could determine that your iron levels drop dangerously low, which will prevent you from continuing to donate as often (or any at all if the problem doesn’t get corrected).

Here are a few things you should do to make sure you can keep donating regularly:

See a Primary Care Physician Regularly

Your primary care physician gets a full picture of your health because you’ll see them at least once a year for a full workup, which usually includes blood work.

Having a PCP really helps pinpoint any issues you’re currently having or might have in the future.

If your doctor does see anything wrong, they might put you on medication to help or offer advice for tweaking your diet or exercise routines to assist naturally.

Either way, regular visits can make sure everything is on track with your body, which might help you be your healthiest self for donating blood plasma.

Enrich Your Diet with Iron

One of the most common issues with donating blood plasma frequently is that it depletes iron from your body.

Iron, of course, is included in your blood cells, so it’s natural for this to happen.

If your cells are functioning properly and you’re getting enough iron in your diet, your body should be able to replenish the iron it loses relatively quickly.

If not, you’re going to be iron-deficient, which is a big no-no when donating blood.

Be sure to do your part by getting plenty of iron from the foods you eat.

Although you can take iron supplements, food is the best source for getting iron.

Iron-rich foods include:

• Leafy green veggies, like spinach and kale
• Red meats, like steak and ground beef
• Beans, like garbanzo or kidney
• Fish, like salmon or sardines
• Tofu
• Poultry, like chicken and turkey
• Some fruit, like strawberries, tomatoes, and raisins

Eat Plenty of Protein

Your donation screenings will also show if you’re not getting enough protein in your diet.

Protein is important because it helps build and maintain muscle mass.

Fortunately, getting more protein in your diet is easy if you’re a meat eater.

Tuna, fish, and boneless and skinless chicken breasts are among the healthiest meat protein sources.

But you can also get protein from tofu, eggs, quinoa, seeds, lentils, and peanut butter.

If you don’t think you’re getting enough protein from foods alone, you might add in a protein shake daily.

Just make sure it isn’t filled with sugar, too (many of the premade ones are).

Maintain a Healthy Regimen of Exercise

Exercise doesn’t just help people lose weight.

It also helps maintain a healthy body when it’s done regularly.

Most doctors advise getting at least 30 minutes of activity on 5 days each week, but it’s even better if you can squeeze in more.

Exercise is especially good for your heart to keep it pumping properly and your blood flowing, all of which can benefit you and your blood donations.

You don’t even have to do a full-on workout you don’t enjoy.

Instead, go on a walk with the dog.

Take a bike ride.

Dance to some music.

Do some gardening or yard work.

Whatever gets you moving for at least 30 minutes a day is better than nothing!

Eat a Healthy Diet

I know – “diet” is a dreaded word.

That’s because most people think of dieting when they hear it, which usually means restricting what you can eat, leaving you feeling like you can’t enjoy your meals.

What I’m talking about, though, is making over your regular diet into something a bit healthier.

A healthy lifestyle, if you will.

It’s actually pretty simple:

• Make sure you’re getting plenty of color on your plate at each meal from fruit, vegetables, meat, etc.
• Find a good balance of unhealthier stuff, like starches and sugar, with healthier stuff, like protein, vegetables, and fruit.
• Eat more frequent small meals through the day instead of fewer large meals.
• Drink water with your meals to help fill your belly.
• Use a sugar substitute, like stevia, in baked products.
• Switch to whole grains instead of products with processed and refined flour.

It’s more like making small changes to what you do every day to make a significant change in your overall health.

Stick to it, and you’ll find that it’s easier to keep passing donation screenings.

Drink Water Regularly

Water helps carry oxygen through your bloodstream and into all your cells, so it’s an important part of your overall health, including how your blood gets made and functions.

More importantly, regular water drinking can lower your blood pressure, which can make it more likely that you’ll get a good reading when you get screenings done.

It’s important to shoot for at least 8 8-oz cups of water each day, so 64 ounces in total, which is the equivalent of 4 water bottles.

That’s not so tough when you do the math!

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is an amazing thing.

While we sleep, our bodies recover from everything the day brought, whether it was stress, illness, or an injury.

Sleep gives us time to recoup so that we can continue on with the next day.

Sleep can also kind of be a reset button your body needs to kickstart your organs into doing their jobs.

If you don’t get enough sleep each night, you’re going to have less energy and your body is going to suffer, right down to the cells that do just about every job in your body.

Try to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

That means uninterrupted sleep!

Turn electronics off a couple of hours before you drift off and get yourself into a strict bedtime routine.

Keep your room cool enough, too, so that it’s comfortable to sleep in.

Once your body gets on a regular sleep schedule, you should find that it functions better in general, which can help keep your blood moving and regenerating itself in a healthy way.

Stop Smoking!

If you currently smoke, stop!

Continuing the bad habit can not only cause all sorts of health issues, but it can also be a surefire way to prevent you from being a blood donor.

In fact, some centers may prohibit anyone who smokes from donating at all.

But it’s very possible that if your center does allow it, you might still not be able to continue with a donation because smoking tends to raise your blood pressure, even if you’re otherwise generally healthy.

Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to stop smoking quickly.

Within a day or two, your body should already start reaping the benefits of quitting!

Donating Plasma to BioLife

BioLife is one of the most well-known and respected plasma donation centers, so I chose to go a bit more in-depth with this one.

BioLife is a certified International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP) center.

Those in the IQPP meet the highest quality standards and must receive routine assessments to ensure that they’re continuing to meet those standards.

The company has several centers throughout Austria and the United States.

You can find a center location near you using its websites.

One of the best things about BioLife centers is their dedicated playrooms for young children.

If you want to donate but don’t want to pay a babysitter, bring your child along to get supervised by staff while you donate! It’s available for kids 6 months to 12 years.

You can set up an appointment for your donation by calling your nearest center or scheduling online.

It couldn’t be easier.

You can even specify that you’ll need the playroom if you schedule online.

The process for donating plasma to BioLife is fairly streamlined.

You’ll arrive to your appointment, sign in, and give all required information to staff (identification and proof of address).

The information is only necessary for your first donation or if there’s been a long lapse in your donations.

You’ll then take a computerized questionnaire before you can donate.

It’s a simple health screening just to make sure you meet health requirements. All donors must complete this every time they donate.

A nurse will take your vitals each time you donate, too.

Then, you’ll enter the donation room to begin the process.

You get paid immediately after your donation.

How Much Does BioLife Pay for Plasma Donation?

Of course, if you’re planning on donating to BioLife, you’ll want to learn more about BioLife compensation.

It’s one of the best paying plasma centers, with some donors making up to $400 per month!

BioLife transfers your funds to a Visa debit card. Each time you donate, the funds will go on your card immediately.

Your compensation depends on a few factors, like how often you donate, how much plasma can be taken from you, and the promotions your center currently has running.

Most donors make anywhere from $20 to $50 per donation, with frequent donors usually seeing the higher pay scale.

BioLife allows healthy individuals to donate up to twice per week, so if you’re getting $50 each time, you can easily make $400 per month.

BioLife Requirements

BioLife’s requirements are much in line with other centers. They take great care to screen donors to ensure they’re getting the best plasma for recipients.

To donate to BioLife, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• Meet health requirements and not be sick that day
• Provide photo ID
• Follow BioLife’s health and nutrition tips
• Make staff aware of all tattoos, body piercings, and current medications

Other Places to Donate Plasma

BioLife is one of several excellent centers to choose from.

If there isn’t a BioLife center close by, you can search for one of these plasma donation centers instead.

B Positive Plasma

B Positive Plasma centers not only pay their donors up to twice weekly for their full donation cycles, but they also hand out extra money to any donors who successfully refer their friends and family.

The center says that you can get paid up to $500 per month using both resources.

Referrals are $50 a piece.

The company gives donors a reloadable VISA card on which they get their payments, which can be used anywhere that accepts VISA.

You can schedule your first donation appointment conveniently online, but you can also come in as a walk-in, although you might have to wait a bit to be seen.

B Positive Plasma currently has two New Jersey locations and one Maryland location.

Biotest Plasma Center

Biotest Plasma Center is IQPP certified and is one of the centers that has different monthly promotions to encourage people to donate!

For example, in the month of April, if you have had at least six donations at the center, you can choose a colored egg from a basket.

Each egg has a cash prize or a special prize inside. You can choose another egg each time you donate after the 6^th donation!

You’ll need to wait at least 24 hours before making your second donation each week at Biotest Plasma Center.

Biotest transfers funds to a reloadable Visa debit card every time you donate.

Compensation varies depending on frequency and amount of plasma, but donors typically average between $20 and $35 each time.

BPL Plasma

BPL Plasma is another IQPP certified center. It currently has 34 centers throughout the United States.

This center requires 48 hours between your donations, with up to two per week.

Donors are usually compensated between $20 to $50 per donation.

There are also ongoing bonuses for donors.

CSL Plasma

CSL Plasma offers donors up to $400 per month for donations, assuming you donate twice per week.

You also get points for each donation that you can exchange for cash and other prizes!

The IQPP center loads your funds onto a prepaid Visa debit card each time you donate.

GCAM Plasma

You can get paid up to $30 for each blood plasma donation for GCAM Plasma, a center that also allows twice-weekly donations.

Candidates for donation must be between the ages of 18 and 65 and weigh at least 110 pounds.

You’ll find GCAM locations throughout Texas, Idaho, California, Washington, and one in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Grifols

Grifols bought out other plasma donation centers, like Talecris, Biomat USA and PlasmaCare.

It currently has over 150 centers in the United States.

The IQPP certified center says that it pays an average of $200 per month to donors.

Your compensation gets loaded onto a prepaid Visa debit card.

You’ll need to wait at least 48 hours between donations to Grifols.

Interstate Blood Bank

Interstate Blood Bank is another IQPP certified donation center with several locations across the United States.

Donations vary between Interstate Blood Bank locations, donor frequency, and first or subsequent donations.

You can contact your local center for more information on compensation.

Interstate Blood Bank requires at least 48 hours between donations.

Immunotek

Immunotek is another option for blood plasma donors.

Its centers offer comfortable reclining chairs for donors to sit in while they wait to complete the process and every donor gets monitored by trained staff.

In addition to compensating donors for their time, Immunotek also offers raffle giveaways with prizes like TVs, outdoor dining sets, and Beats headphones.

KEDPLASMA

By donating to KEDPLASMA, you’ll get paid for each donation and can even earn a chance to win a vacation!

When you donate twice in any calendar week throughout the special promotion, you’ll earn a raffle ticket to win $50, $100, or a vacation for you and a guest.

The company has several locations throughout Nebraska, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and more, but it’s also expanding with new centers.

New York Blood Center

If you’re a New York resident, you can check out New York Blood Center for possible plasma donations.

You can only donate plasma once every 28 days here.

The company also doesn’t pay directly for donations, but it does have a Donor Advantage program that lets you earn points with each donation.

You can save up your points to use for gift cards or other items.

OctaPharma

OctaPharma has several locations in 26 states.

The IQPP certified center states that its compensation fees can vary from month to month due to current promotions and incentives.

The company offers some great incentives, like a $500 sweepstakes that you can earn entries to for your 5^th donation and after each month!

Your donor funds will be loaded onto a Visa debit card.

You’re allowed two donations per week, spaced two days apart.

Read More: 27 Egg Donation Centers That Pay At Least $3,000 Per Donation

Search for a Center Near You

If you’re having trouble locating any of these donation centers near you, you can check out DonatingPlasma.org to search for centers.

This is also an excellent resource to learn more about the process and who can benefit from your plasma!

You can also always do a good old-fashioned Google search, which should bring up some results quickly if you use the right search terms.

Be sure to indicate that you want to find a donation center that pays to narrow your results.

For example, you might Google, “plasma donation Houston get paid” if you live in or near Houston, Texas.

Look for Donation Events in Your Community

Most blood donation events exist to get a big collection of blood built up in a short amount of time to serve those who need it.

However, it’s not totally out of the realm of possibility that your community might host a blood plasma donation event at some point, especially if you live in a large area with donation centers nearby.

You can check with local hospitals and urgent care clinics to see if anything like this might be going on in your area anytime soon.

Mark it on your calendar and make sure you’re there bright and early!

Want to Donate for Free?

Of course, you can still always donate for free if you want to do your good deed for the day!

The Red Cross accepts plasma donations, but you can only donate once every 28 days.

Their donation process typically takes about an hour and 15 minutes.

The Red Cross especially looks for people with type AB blood, since their plasma is universal and it’s a rare blood type.

So, if you have AB blood, your plasma is like gold to people in need.

Common FAQs About Donating Your Blood Plasma

What is blood plasma donation, and why is it important?

Blood plasma donation is the process of giving a specific component of your blood called plasma, which is a yellowish liquid that carries various substances such as proteins, hormones, and antibodies.

Plasma is crucial for various medical treatments, including providing life-saving therapies to patients with immune deficiencies, burns, and certain clotting disorders.

Donating blood plasma helps meet the demand for these essential medical products and can potentially save lives.

Who can donate blood plasma?

Eligibility criteria for blood plasma donation may vary slightly depending on the donation center and local regulations.

However, the general requirements include being in good health, being within a certain age range (often 18-65 years old), and meeting weight and height restrictions. Some centers may also have additional criteria, such as a minimum hemoglobin level or a specific waiting period between donations.

It is always best to consult with the donation center directly to confirm eligibility.

How is blood plasma donation different from whole blood donation?

When you donate whole blood, it typically goes through a separation process where the different blood components are separated, and the red blood cells are returned to your body.

In plasma donation, a machine called a plasmapheresis machine is used to separate the plasma from the rest of the blood components, collecting only the plasma while returning the other components, like red blood cells and platelets, back to your body.

This allows for more frequent donations since your body can recover the other components faster.

Is donating blood plasma safe?

Yes, donating blood plasma is generally considered safe.

The plasmapheresis process is performed by trained professionals in sterile environments, ensuring your safety throughout the donation. Before donating, you will undergo a screening process to determine your eligibility and ensure that you are in good health.

Additionally, the equipment used for the donation is sterile, single-use, and disposable, further minimizing the risk of infection.

What are the potential side effects of donating blood plasma?

While donating blood plasma is generally safe, some individuals may experience mild side effects.

These can include temporary symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, or dehydration. In rare cases, more severe reactions like allergic reactions or clotting issues may occur, but these are extremely uncommon.

Donation centers have trained staff on hand to address any potential side effects promptly. It’s essential to follow the post-donation instructions provided by the center, which often include staying well-hydrated and avoiding strenuous activities for a few hours after donation.

Have you donated plasma for money? Where did you go and how much did you make?

Sound off in the comments!

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