2008 Woodie Awards
How to profit from plasma
Mallory Amis
Issue date: 12/8/06 Section: Forum
Is your bank account balance a little on the negative side? Do you need some extra cash but don't want a job? I've found a solution for those of us who would love to get paid for sitting around. Plasmapheresis.
I first heard of this profitable venture from some of my friends and decided to check it out. I headed to Springfield one Saturday morning, and before I knew it, I was donating plasma.
Plasmapheresis is the process of donating blood where the liquid portion, called plasma, is filtered out and the red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells are returned to the body. Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood containing water, proteins and electrolytes.
There are two places to donate plasma in Springfield: BioLife Plasma Services, which is located on East Elm Street near downtown, or ZLB Plasma Services, in a shopping center on Glenstone, where I donate.
There are some simple requirements you must meet to be able to give plasma: you are required to be 18 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs. and be in good health. Some diseases and conditions which will prohibit you from donating. You must also provide a photo ID, proof of social security and proof of residence the first time you donate. ZLB is a walk-in clinic with no appointments necessary and BioLife requires appointments.
The process of donating plasma is quite simple. Your first visit, which takes a few hours, involves paperwork, a physical and finally a donation. Subsequent visits consist of signing in and waiting for your turn to donate. The nurses will start the donation process by inserting a needle into your vein and a machine will draw out a small amount of your blood: about half a cup. The plasma is separated into a container, and blood cells return to your bloodstream. After a few cycles of this, a saline solution is used to replenish some of the nutrients lost in the plasma.
The amount of plasma you are required to donate depends on your body weight. You are eligible to donate plasma two times per week with a day in between so the body can replenish its plasma supply. At ZLB, the first two times you donate plasma, you are compensated $40. From then on, the first time pays $25 and the second pays $35. This means that you can make $60 a week just by sitting on a bed. A really comfortable one, I might add.
An added bonus to donating plasma is that it benefits many people. Plasma is manufactured into many different lifesaving products for hemophiliacs, burn victims, immune system deficients and products to treat diseases like rabies and tetanus.
Coming from a person who almost blacked out when I gave blood, giving plasma is a walk in the park. As long as you eat a good, healthy meal and drink a large amount of water before you donate, you have nothing to worry about. A few tips for donors are to bring a jacket to keep warm and a book for the waiting periods. I would also suggest getting to the clinics a few minutes before they open to cut down on waiting time.
For any SBU students out there who need some extra cash or just want an easy way to earn money, donating plasma is the way to go. Call the centers for appointments, hours and more information. BioLife Plasma Services: www.biolifeplasma.com, ZLB Plasma Services www.zlbplasma.com.
I first heard of this profitable venture from some of my friends and decided to check it out. I headed to Springfield one Saturday morning, and before I knew it, I was donating plasma.
Plasmapheresis is the process of donating blood where the liquid portion, called plasma, is filtered out and the red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells are returned to the body. Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood containing water, proteins and electrolytes.
There are two places to donate plasma in Springfield: BioLife Plasma Services, which is located on East Elm Street near downtown, or ZLB Plasma Services, in a shopping center on Glenstone, where I donate.
There are some simple requirements you must meet to be able to give plasma: you are required to be 18 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs. and be in good health. Some diseases and conditions which will prohibit you from donating. You must also provide a photo ID, proof of social security and proof of residence the first time you donate. ZLB is a walk-in clinic with no appointments necessary and BioLife requires appointments.
The process of donating plasma is quite simple. Your first visit, which takes a few hours, involves paperwork, a physical and finally a donation. Subsequent visits consist of signing in and waiting for your turn to donate. The nurses will start the donation process by inserting a needle into your vein and a machine will draw out a small amount of your blood: about half a cup. The plasma is separated into a container, and blood cells return to your bloodstream. After a few cycles of this, a saline solution is used to replenish some of the nutrients lost in the plasma.
The amount of plasma you are required to donate depends on your body weight. You are eligible to donate plasma two times per week with a day in between so the body can replenish its plasma supply. At ZLB, the first two times you donate plasma, you are compensated $40. From then on, the first time pays $25 and the second pays $35. This means that you can make $60 a week just by sitting on a bed. A really comfortable one, I might add.
An added bonus to donating plasma is that it benefits many people. Plasma is manufactured into many different lifesaving products for hemophiliacs, burn victims, immune system deficients and products to treat diseases like rabies and tetanus.
Coming from a person who almost blacked out when I gave blood, giving plasma is a walk in the park. As long as you eat a good, healthy meal and drink a large amount of water before you donate, you have nothing to worry about. A few tips for donors are to bring a jacket to keep warm and a book for the waiting periods. I would also suggest getting to the clinics a few minutes before they open to cut down on waiting time.
For any SBU students out there who need some extra cash or just want an easy way to earn money, donating plasma is the way to go. Call the centers for appointments, hours and more information. BioLife Plasma Services: www.biolifeplasma.com, ZLB Plasma Services www.zlbplasma.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
dale.p.weaver
posted 9/25/07 @ 12:15 AM CST
i just lost my job is that ok
Katherine
posted 10/07/07 @ 12:54 PM CST
I should think for a Christian the most important thing about giving plasma should be the fact that you are giving of your own body to benefit the health of others. (Continued…)
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