Donating Plasma/Blood

I read that most of the plasma donated doesn't go to patients, it goes to pharmaceutical companies who profit off of it (which is why they pay you). That's neither here nor there, though. If you wanna donate, donate. I tried once and they wouldn't take mine because I have "too much protein". I'm not sure how, as I had been a vegetarian for two years by that time, but whatever.

I read that most of the plasma donated doesn't go to patients, it goes to pharmaceutical companies who profit off of it (which is why they pay you). That's neither here nor there, though. If you wanna donate, donate. I tried once and they wouldn't take mine because I have "too much protein". I'm not sure how, as I had been a vegetarian for two years by that time, but whatever.

It only goes to pharmaceutical companies if you're getting paid for it. If you go the American Red Cross or Lifesouth, it helps save lives.

my boyfriend donates to help pay for food and stuff

pros:
you get paid up to 200 dollars a month
your helping people
it helps you eat better because your blood gets tested and you have to have less fat etc to donate


cons
you look like you shoot up drugs
it can scar you arm
you have to have physicals and it takes 2+ hours to donate
if your smaller its harder
it can make you faint/ light headed
lots of "weird" people there ( i live in a huge town, mostly drug addicts donate)
the people taking it from you could be enexperienced
this could lead to a poping of the vain
swelling up like a tenis ball (no joke) and then you only get half the money
popping the vain and bruising all the way up your arm. this leads to you looking like a drug addict again.
you cant go to the bathroom during the entire wait
if your blood is to fatty, not enough proteine etc when you go you cant donate
you get asked embarrising list of questions every time you go. exp: have you had gay sex recently?
if they have to reinsurt the needle its HORRIBLE pain. like make you cry pain

this being said, dont be scared. its not that bad and most times it turns out fine. its something you have to get used to. my boyfriend dosnt find it so bad to do twice a week. if its somehting you want to do i would say try it! your reasons for doing it are far better then ours :] good luck

Do it at a hospital or a place like Red Cross. I've gone to the places that pay. They're really rude. I couldn't give because my veins aren't prominent enough. You don't want to go to the places that pay. The people are desperate for money and it brings in a certain type of person. All the ones here are located in a suspicious part of town. The people that work there aren't very professional and you could be waiting for hours before someone even gives you the time of day.

I donate blood every 56 days, which is the length of time you have to wait between donations (in Canada). Also, no payment for donations in Canada, either. All voluntary.

I find it very fulfilling, knowing that my simple actions are savings lives. I have donated platelets before, too, but have been donating whole blood for the past couple of years. Just hit my 45th donation yesterday.

I'd say go for it. You could save a life.

First of all, I'm sorry about your brother's diagnosis. Leukemia just took the life of a young man in my hometown. Blood diseases SUCK! I pray for healing for your brother and peace and comfort for him and your family.

Secondly, I love, love, love donating through the American Red Cross Apheresis (plasma/platelets) program. The needle isn't that big, but it does take quite a while to donate. Count on about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The Red Cross doesn't pay for your "product" but you know 100% of it is being used for people like your brother who desparately need clean white blood cells. The machines take your blood out, spin it so that the plasma, platelets and red blood cells separate, skim off the plasma and/or platelets and then put the rest back. The Red Cross can often times tell you who the recipient of your product is -- well, not specifically, but something like "a 12 year old boy with Leukemia" -- if you want to know. It's very gratifying to know you're helping someone in a life-saving way.

No cons that I can think of!

Peace,
Loree

Start drinking water a few days before you go, it helps the blood flow and your veins won't be restricted, fainting isn't common but definitely make sure you're hydrated!! (the regular 8 cups a day is fine)

I have donated plasma. If you do what they say, drink plenty of water & not much soda, watch certain things that you eat you should be fine. I never passed out - never even felt light headed. I did have to stop though, because of my veins. They can be very hard to get to. I have to be poked multiple times almost every time I even get blood taken so it was just a hassle. The first time took the longest but it wasn't really bad after that. My fiance also gave plasma. He hasn't given any in 4 yrs & he still has the scar on his arm where they took plasma from the same spot every time.

I have seen more than a couple people fainting while I was waiting for my fiance to get done. So just make absolutely sure you drink lots of water starting a few days before and no soda the night before or day of donating.