Health individuals between 18-70 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds (50kg) that live in the 100-mile radius of our location can donate. All individuals must pass a medical exam, a medical history screening, and testing for transmissible viruses before their donated plasma can be used for medicine.
You must have a pre-donation physical which includes answering medical history questions, tests for viruses such as HIV and hepatitis, and evaluating your protein and hemoglobin levels.
Yes. Your plasma donation is performed in a highly controlled, sterile environment by professionally trained medical staff. All plasma collection equipment that comes into contact with you is used only once to eliminate the possibility of transmitting viral infections.
Most people compare the feeling of the needle to a mild bee sting. You will also be required to have a finger stick test each time you donate so the collection center medical staff can evaluate your protein and hemoglobin levels.
Your first donation will take approximately two hours. Return visits on average take about 1 hour.
Donating plasma is similar to giving blood. A needle is placed into a vein in your arm. Plasma is collected through a process called plasmapheresis and is conducted in cycles that may take up to an hour. Whole blood is drawn, then the plasma is separated from the red blood cells and other cellular components. These cells are returned to your body with sterile saline solution to help the body replace the plasma removed from the whole blood.
Your plasma is used to manufacture plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) for such as immunoglobulin, albumin, Alpha-1 Anti Trypsin, clotting factors, etc. This is used by patients that suffer from immune disorders, hemophilia and in critical care settings.
For your first time donating, you will receive a physical examination. You will also need to fill out a Donor History Questionnaire (which you will need to fill out on subsequent visits as well).
Life Plasma is a walk-in facility, so you do not need an appointment to donate.
- Social Security Card (or any document showing your name and SSN such as a 1099, W2, tax return, etc.)
- Drivers license or any Photo I.D. with your current address (If your address has changed, a mail in the last 30 days with your name and current address is needed as well)
Payments are distributed onto a debit card, which is then added to on subsequent donations.