Get Money for Plasma Donation: Eligibility and How to Donate

Donating plasma is a generous act that can save lives and also provide you with extra income. If you’re considering plasma donation for financial reasons, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements and the process involved. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to determine if you can donate plasma and how to get started.

Understanding Plasma Donation and Eligibility

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, crucial for carrying blood cells, nutrients, and proteins throughout your body. It’s used to create life-saving therapies for patients with bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies, and other serious conditions. Because plasma is so vital, donation centers often compensate donors for their time and commitment.

However, not everyone is eligible to donate plasma. Just like blood donation, there are specific health criteria to ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient. These requirements are in place to protect your well-being and the purity of the plasma collected. Let’s delve into the common eligibility factors, drawing from established blood donation guidelines, as many principles overlap.

General Health and Well-being

To donate plasma, you generally need to be in good health. This means:

• Feeling Well: You should feel healthy and well on the day of donation.
• No Fever: You must be fever-free. A fever can indicate an active infection, which could make you ineligible to donate.
• Breathing: You should be able to breathe normally without difficulty through your mouth.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, it’s best to postpone your donation until you’ve fully recovered.

Respiratory Conditions: Asthma and Lung Issues

• Asthma: Asthma is generally acceptable for plasma donation, provided it’s well-managed. You should not be experiencing breathing difficulties at the time of donation, and your asthma should not limit your daily activities. Asthma medications do not typically disqualify you from donating.
• Other Lung Conditions: Similar to asthma, other lung conditions are usually acceptable if they are under control and don’t cause breathing problems or limitations in your daily life. However, if you’ve recently experienced breathing difficulties, a new diagnosis, or changes in treatment for a lung condition, you may need to wait for a period, often around six months, before donating plasma. If you require oxygen for a lung condition, you are likely not eligible to donate.

Bleeding Conditions and Blood Thinners

Your blood’s ability to clot is crucial for safe plasma donation.

• Bleeding Disorders: If you have a history of bleeding problems, you will be assessed further. If your blood doesn’t clot normally, you cannot donate because of the risk of excessive bleeding at the needle site.

• Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants): You should not donate plasma if you are taking blood-thinning medications. Common blood thinners include:

  • Atrixa (fondaparinux)
  • Coumadin (warfarin)
  • Eliquis (apixaban)
  • Fragmin (dalteparin)
  • Heparin
  • Jantoven (warfarin)
  • Lovenox (enoxaparin)
  • Pradaxa (dabigatran)
  • Savaysa (edoxaban)
  • Warfilone (warfarin)
  • Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

  Aspirin is generally acceptable for plasma donation unless you are participating in specific programs with stricter requirements. Individuals with Factor V clotting disorders who are not on anticoagulants may be eligible, but it’s essential to discuss this with the medical staff at the donation center.

Blood Pressure and Pulse

Vital signs like blood pressure and pulse are checked before plasma donation to ensure your safety.

• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is acceptable if it is within a certain range at the time of donation, typically at or below 180 systolic (top number) and at or below 100 diastolic (bottom number). Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you.
• Low Blood Pressure: Low blood pressure is acceptable if you feel well and your blood pressure is at or above 90 systolic and at or above 50 diastolic.
• Pulse Rate: Your pulse should be between 50 and 100 beats per minute to be eligible.

These measurements are taken to assess your current health status and ensure that donating plasma is safe for you on that particular day.

Cancer History

Cancer history affects plasma donation eligibility, and it depends on the type of cancer and treatment.

• Blood Cancers: If you have had leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease, or other blood cancers, you are generally not eligible to donate plasma.
• Other Cancers: For other types of cancer, you may be eligible if the cancer has been successfully treated, and it has been more than 12 months since the completion of treatment with no recurrence.
• Lower Risk Cancers: Certain low-risk in-situ cancers like squamous or basal cell skin cancers that have been completely removed do not require a 12-month waiting period.
• Precancerous Conditions: Precancerous conditions of the cervix, if successfully treated, do not usually disqualify you from donating.

It’s always best to discuss your specific cancer history with the healthcare professionals at the plasma donation center to determine your eligibility.

Chronic Illnesses

Many chronic illnesses do not automatically disqualify you from donating plasma.

• Managed Chronic Conditions: Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well, the condition is well-managed, and you meet all other eligibility criteria. This includes conditions like diabetes and well-managed heart disease (within specific criteria outlined below).

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Risk Factors

Due to the risk of transmitting Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), there are specific restrictions.

• Dura Mater Transplant: If you have ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant from an animal or another person, you are not eligible to donate.
• Human Growth Hormone (hGH) from Cadavers: If you received injections of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) before 1985, you cannot donate. Growth hormone received after 1985 is generally acceptable.
• CJD Diagnosis or Family History: If you have been diagnosed with variant CJD (vCJD), CJD, or any other TSE, or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD, you are not eligible to donate.

Diabetes

Diabetes, whether managed with insulin or oral medication, generally does not prevent you from donating plasma.

• Controlled Diabetes: Diabetics who have their condition well-controlled with insulin or oral medications are typically eligible to donate plasma.

Heart Disease

Heart health is carefully considered for plasma donation eligibility.

• General Heart Disease: In general, heart disease is acceptable if you have been medically evaluated and treated, and in the last 6 months, you have had no new diagnoses, heart-related symptoms like chest pain, new treatments, or surgery. You should also have no limitations on your daily activities.
• Waiting Periods After Heart Events:
  • Angina: Wait at least 6 months after an episode of angina.
  • Heart Attack: Wait at least 6 months after a heart attack.
  • Bypass Surgery or Angioplasty: Wait at least 6 months after these procedures.
  • Change in Heart Condition/Medication: Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that led to a medication change.
• Pacemaker: If you have a pacemaker, you can donate plasma if your pulse is between 50 and 100 bpm and you meet other heart disease criteria.
• Ineligible Heart Conditions: Certain heart conditions will disqualify you from donating, including: Aneurysm, Angiogram (recent, check guidelines), Aortic insufficiency/regurgitation/stenosis, AV malformation, Bicuspid aortic valve (unrepaired), Bundle branch block, Cardiomyopathy, Cardiac myxoma, Congestive heart failure, and others. (Refer to the original list for a complete enumeration).

It’s crucial to discuss your specific heart condition with both your healthcare provider and the donation center staff to ensure your safety and eligibility.

Heart Murmur and Heart Valve Disorders

• Heart Murmur/Valve Disorder: These are acceptable if you have been evaluated and treated, have had no symptoms in the last 6 months, and have no restrictions on daily activities.

Hemochromatosis

• Hemochromatosis: If you have hemochromatosis, you are typically not eligible for certain types of donations, like Leukopak donations, but standard plasma donation eligibility should be confirmed with the center.

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and Blood Count

Adequate hemoglobin levels are essential for plasma donation.

• Hemoglobin Levels: Women must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and men must have at least 13.0 g/dL. Hemoglobin levels should not exceed 20 g/dL for any donor. These levels are checked at the donation center.

Hepatitis and Jaundice

Hepatitis and jaundice have strict implications for plasma donation.

• Active Hepatitis/Jaundice: If you have symptoms of viral hepatitis or unexplained jaundice, you are not eligible to donate.
• Hepatitis B or C Positive Test: If you have ever tested positive for hepatitis B (after age 11) or hepatitis C at any age, you are not eligible, even if you never had symptoms.

Hepatitis Exposure

Exposure to hepatitis also leads to deferral periods.

• Household/Sexual Contact with Hepatitis: If you live with or have had sexual contact with someone with hepatitis, you must wait 12 months after the last contact.
• Incarceration: Individuals incarcerated for 72 hours or more are deferred for 12 months due to increased risk of infectious disease exposure.
• Blood Transfusion/Needle Stick/Blood Exposure: Wait 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless autologous), a non-sterile needle stick, or exposure to someone else’s blood.

HIV and AIDS

Individuals with HIV or AIDS, or at risk for HIV, are not eligible to donate plasma for safety reasons.

• HIV/AIDS Diagnosis or Positive Test: If you have AIDS or have ever tested positive for HIV, you cannot donate.
• HIV Risk Factors: You are at risk if you have:
  • Had sexual contact with someone with HIV/AIDS or a positive HIV test in the last 12 months.
  • Used needles to inject drugs not prescribed by a doctor in the last 5 years.
  • Are a male who has had sexual contact with another male in the last 5 years.
  • Taken money or drugs for sex in the last 5 years.
  • Had sexual contact in the past 5 years with anyone in the above categories.
• Symptoms of HIV/AIDS: Do not donate if you have symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, or rash that could indicate HIV/AIDS.

Infections

Active infections temporarily prevent plasma donation.

• Active Infection/Fever: If you have a fever or active infection, wait until it has completely resolved before donating.
• Antibiotics: Wait until you have finished oral antibiotics for an infection. For antibiotic injections, wait 10 days after the last injection.
• Specific Infections (Chagas, Leishmaniasis, Babesiosis): Those who have had these infections are not eligible to donate.

Lung Conditions (Requiring Oxygen)

• Oxygen Use: If you require oxygen for a lung condition, you are generally not eligible to donate plasma.

Monkeypox

• Monkeypox Infection or Exposure: Wait at least 21 days after a monkeypox infection or exposure before donating.

Malaria Risk

Travel to malaria-risk countries affects plasma donation eligibility.

• Malaria Treatment: Wait 3 years after completing malaria treatment.
• Travel to Malaria Area: Wait 12 months after returning from a malaria-risk area.
• Living in Malaria Country: Wait 3 years after living for more than 5 years in a malaria-risk country. An additional 3-year waiting period applies if you travel to a malaria area if you haven’t lived in a malaria-free country for 3 consecutive years.

Sickle Cell Trait and Disease

• Sickle Cell Trait: Acceptable for donation if you have sickle cell trait.
• Sickle Cell Disease: Not eligible to donate if you have sickle cell disease.

Skin Disease, Rash, Acne

Skin conditions are generally acceptable if the donation site is unaffected.

• Skin Conditions: Acceptable as long as the skin over the intended needle site is healthy. If the skin is infected, wait until the infection clears. Acne medication does not disqualify you.

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Active TB: Do not donate if you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for it.
• Latent TB: Acceptable if you have a positive TB test but no active TB and are not taking antibiotics for TB. If you are taking antibiotics for a positive TB test or TB infection, wait until treatment is completed.

Measles Exposure

• Measles Vaccination/Exposure: Acceptable if you are healthy and vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks prior. If unvaccinated or vaccinated less than 4 weeks ago, wait 4 weeks from vaccination or exposure.

How to Get Started Donating Plasma for Money

If you believe you meet the general eligibility criteria, here’s how to proceed:

1. Find a Plasma Donation Center: Search online for “plasma donation centers near me.” Look for reputable centers, often run by large organizations or pharmaceutical companies.
2. Check Center-Specific Requirements: Contact the center or visit their website to review their specific eligibility criteria, compensation rates, and donation process. Requirements may vary slightly between centers.
3. Schedule an Appointment: Many centers encourage appointments, especially for your first donation.
4. First Donation and Screening: At your first visit, you’ll undergo a more detailed health screening, including a medical history review and a physical exam. This is to confirm your eligibility based on the center’s protocols.
5. The Donation Process: Plasma donation is typically done through a process called plasmapheresis. Blood is drawn, plasma is separated, and the remaining blood components (red blood cells, platelets) are returned to your body. This process usually takes longer than whole blood donation, often around 1-2 hours.
6. Compensation: You’ll typically receive compensation after each successful donation. Payment methods vary but often include prepaid cards or direct deposit.

Maximizing Your Earnings and Ensuring Safety

• Follow Center Guidelines: Adhere strictly to the donation center’s guidelines regarding health, hydration, and donation frequency to ensure your well-being and continued eligibility.
• Hydrate Well: Drink plenty of fluids before and after donating to help replenish plasma volume.
• Eat a Healthy Diet: Maintain a balanced diet rich in iron and protein to support blood cell production and overall health.
• Be Honest About Your Health: Always be truthful about your health history and current condition during screenings. This is crucial for your safety and the safety of plasma recipients.
• Understand Donation Frequency: Plasma donation can typically be done more frequently than whole blood donation, often twice a week. However, adhere to the center’s recommended frequency to avoid adverse effects.

Donating plasma can be a rewarding way to earn money while contributing to healthcare. By understanding the eligibility requirements and following the guidelines, you can safely and effectively participate in plasma donation and make a positive impact. Remember to prioritize your health and always consult with medical professionals at the donation center if you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility.