The center will pay you for your time, not the actual donation due to federal laws.
So how do you do it?
1. Find a donation center; check your local phone book, go online, or go to a center you are already aware of.
2. Ask what you have to do to get screened. The policies of each center will vary, but will include some positive identification, proof of address (a utilities bill usually will cut it) and screening.
3. My center gave me a appointment card that was a few days later.
4. Get pre-screened. I went to the appointment and they do a few tests, you fill out a question-air indicating what medications, noting if you participate in any high risk behaviors that would disqualify you from donating. They also will write down any tattoos and piercing you may have. Urine test, blood test. Write down weight, height, take picture for your file.
5. You passed. Congrats.
6. You can now get screened. They will give you a AIDS bulletin. This informs/reminds you of high risk behaviors. You go into a room, they take a very small blood sample by pricking your finger. They place it into a centerfuge and spin it around, then measure your protein levels, and hematocrit. They will ask you several questions , in which you indicate that you have not participated in any of the behaviors that make your plasma unfit for donation. They will measure your blood pressure, your pulse and body temperature. If you fall in between normal ranges you are able to donate.
7. Wait to donate.
8. Donate plasma. You will sit/ lay down. The technician will sterilize the area on your arm, place a cuff on your upper arm. They will insert the needle. You will be instructed to squeeze a object to keep the blood flowing.
-The blood will flow into a bowl in the plasma machine. It will be spun around and the blood cells and the plasma will separate due to different densities. The plasma will go into a bottle , while the blood cells will stay in the bowl. After all of the plasma has been spun out, the blood will return to your body. This is one cycle. You will begin to pump more blood and plasma into the machine. Return. Pump. There will be 3-5 cycles. You will not lose nearly any blood, as it is returned. The place the plasma into a big freezer. They will remove the needle, put a bandage on it, and you will be paid.
9. Yay ! you did it.
You donated plasma, and got some extra cash for it!
You will only have to be "examined, and fill out a questioneer once". Next time they will just measure your vital signs, take the small blood sample, and ask you a few questions.
The process generally takes me 2 to 3 hours each time that i donate. At my local plasma donation center, they have televisions with a movie playing for the entire time.
-Watch movie, donate plasma, make money. :)
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