Cash for Plasma: Hot Tips For A Successful Donation

I donated plasma for the first time in 18 years last night. Honestly, not much has changed. The check-in system is more techy, but other than that, it was a familiar experience. If you have never donated plasma before and would like to start, I have some tips for you.

Pack a bag before you go with water, a high-protein snack, a source of entertainment (it was A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms by George R. R. Martin for me), a sweater, and a blanket. The blanket might be the most important item, it gets insanely cold sitting there. The employees are all working hard and sweating, so they keep the temperature low, and the saline that gets pumped into your bloodstream is room temperature, so it feels very chilly.

Be prepared for your first appointment to take at least twice as long as any appointment after. I was there for three and a half hours last night. They need to verify that you aren't carrying any diseases and that you don't have addiction problems. I answered the same question about my sexual health about five times. They understandably want to make sure the plasma you are giving will be usable. If I recall correctly, a normal appointment used to last me about an hour and a half.

Most plasma donation centers have a promotion for first-time donors, and you can likely make a good amount of money for your first few appointments. Remember not to keep your bandage on and not to touch the area for a few hours.

If you are squeamish, maybe just don't sign up.