Selling plasma for money?

[sonofsven]

Anyone ever do this?
I was reading on the internet and came across a mention of selling plasma for money.
I've never done it, I donated blood in a Red Cross blood drive years ago, but that was different.
So I looked up where to sell, and there's 5-6 spots in the nearest big city.
Prices seem to be approx $50, but I did see one place is running a promotion: $750 for eight donations in a month.
I don't really need the money, but I do bank and cc bonuses, so viewed in that context, it's not a bad payoff, I suppose.
It does seem a little weird to harvest plasma from (I'm assuming) mostly poor and/or homeless folks.
Plasma must be pretty valuable on the retail end.
Anyway, just curious. Please share any plasma or *plasma adjacent* stories!

[uniwelder]

I donate platelets, which gives you the option to donate a unit of plasma along with it. For a few years, I was either not told or wasn’t available with the machines at that time, but plasma went along with it. I always felt lethargic and tired for the rest of the day. When they started asking me if I wanted to donate plasma along with the platelets, I declined. Overall, I feel much better physically doing platelets only. I’ve been told some people react that way and others don’t.

Don’t sell your plasma for the do-gooder feeling. The US is one of the only countries that sell and export plasma for profit to other countries. That said, I do usually get a small ‘gift’ from the Red Cross for my platelets, about $10-20, which you can do 24x per year.

Edited to add— I saw a study about microplastics in humans. Donating blood or plasma regularly will reduce the microplastic levels in your body.

[RetiredAt63]

I donate platelets, which gives you the option to donate a unit of plasma along with it. For a few years, I was either not told or wasn’t available with the machines at that time, but plasma went along with it. I always felt lethargic and tired for the rest of the day. When they started asking me if I wanted to donate plasma along with the platelets, I declined. Overall, I feel much better physically doing platelets only. I’ve been told some people react that way and others don’t.

Don’t sell your plasma for the do-gooder feeling. The US is one of the only countries that sell and export plasma for profit to other countries. That said, I do usually get a small ‘gift’ from the Red Cross for my platelets, about $10-20, which you can do 24x per year.

Edited to add— I saw a study about microplastics in humans. Donating blood or plasma regularly will reduce the microplastic levels in your body.

As a Canadian who has donated blood over 40 times (too old now) I was always appalled that any blood component donation would be paid for.

[Highbeam]

It's weird because I think it's ridiculous that they don't pay the donor for regular blood "donations".

[Drink Coffee And Stack Money]

I donated plasma regularly from around 2015-2018. Back then I could make $550-600'ish per month for 8 donations, which I hit most months. It was nice extra pocket money while it lasted. In 2019 I got a promotion, my salary doubled, and my work hours changed. I basically just stopped donating because it was no longer convenient. And you see all types of people donating, not just the poor.

[ChpBstrd]

Edited to add— I saw a study about microplastics in humans. Donating blood or plasma regularly will reduce the microplastic levels in your body.

Yep, donation is an efficient way to purge anything that doesn't metabolize on its own, including lead. You'd probably have to make a habit of it for a little while for there to be a difference. However that benefit might be offset if anything about the donation process introduces new microplastics or heavy metals.

As a Canadian who has donated blood over 40 times (too old now) I was always appalled that any blood component donation would be paid for.

The issue is blood donation takes 15 minutes and one puncture, but plasma takes 2 hours and, as I understand it, 2 punctures. The machine processes your blood and returns it to you without the plasma.

That's a lot to ask of a donor, and there wouldn't be enough donors otherwise. The Twinkies they give at blood donation centers wouldn't cut it.

In my town, where unemployment is low, there are always plenty of people lined up to make $70 in two hours. It's a form of subsistence for folks who can't make a living any other way, and they make several hundred dollars per month. The amount paid to donors is no doubt a tiny fraction of the total cost of a transfusion, and I'd rather have people selling this replenish-able organ than having a shortage of it.

[geekette]

It's weird because I think it's ridiculous that they don't pay the donor for regular blood "donations".

They do here, or at leasts we get points that can be exchanged for gift cards.

[uniwelder]

The amount paid to donors is no doubt a tiny fraction of the total cost of a transfusion, and I'd rather have people selling this replenish-able organ than having a shortage of it.

I agree the cost to pay donors is probably quite small compared to the total.  However, it is important to realize how big of an industry it is in the US.  The United States alone provides 70% of the world's plasma supply. 

Here's a good overview--- https://olgam.com/usa-plasma-donation-statistics/  Its says in 2019, the plasma industry had a 28.5 billion dollar market, from 53.5 million donations.  This comes out to $530 per donation, so the donor is getting about 10-15% of that.

[Loren Ver]

I did for a while during college.

It was fine.  It took a long time, but most of that was the registration process each time, the donation time for me wasn't really that long, I was healthy and well hydrated.  For the time it wasn't a great exchange the first donation was $20 the second $32 so a max of $52 per week.  It was based on weight and I was the highest weight class.  So, all things considered I was making just below minimum wage at the time to do really easy work.  Technically they are paying for your time, not the plasma. 

But as soon as I could do anything else with my time, I stopped.  The time it took was just too long.  It wasn't the time donating, it was the registering and waiting to donate.  I donate blood, even double red cells.  No problem.  In and out nice and fast.  The plasma to was so long.  Hours and hours.  Waiting and waiting.

[FinallyFree]

I've never done it, but I know a friend who donated plasma for years to earn extra cash.  He never reported any negative experiences with it. 

There could be an extra benefit to donating blood, though, especially for men.  Apparently it can help reduce iron, an excess of which can lead to health issues for men (and women, after menopause).

[spartana]

I donate platelets, which gives you the option to donate a unit of plasma along with it. For a few years, I was either not told or wasn’t available with the machines at that time, but plasma went along with it. I always felt lethargic and tired for the rest of the day. When they started asking me if I wanted to donate plasma along with the platelets, I declined. Overall, I feel much better physically doing platelets only. I’ve been told some people react that way and others don’t.

Don’t sell your plasma for the do-gooder feeling. The US is one of the only countries that sell and export plasma for profit to other countries. That said, I do usually get a small ‘gift’ from the Red Cross for my platelets, about $10-20, which you can do 24x per year.

Edited to add— I saw a study about microplastics in humans. Donating blood or plasma regularly will reduce the microplastic levels in your body.

Thanks to you (and the others) who take the time to donate platelets. I'm on the receiving end occasionally and really appreciate it! I can't donate blood myself but happy others do it.

[classicrando]

I had done this a few times decades ago while in university, but the donation center was so far away and the hours were inconvenient enough that it wasn't really worth the effort.  There's a donation place on my way home from work now though, and part of me is tempted to try it out; though the particular strip mall it's in is kinda sketchy.

[jrhampt]

Does anyone else get really lightheaded after donating blood?  It wipes me out for the rest of the day.

[ChpBstrd]

Does anyone else get really lightheaded after donating blood?  It wipes me out for the rest of the day.

Not me, but I also weigh >200lb and give the same pint as a 125lb person.

[NotJen]

Does anyone else get really lightheaded after donating blood?  It wipes me out for the rest of the day.

I passed out and convulsed in the chair.  Then threw up when I got home, which always wipes me out for 24 hours.  I won't try to donate again, unfortunately.  (150 lbs and YES I had eaten.)

[RetiredAt63]

Edited to add— I saw a study about microplastics in humans. Donating blood or plasma regularly will reduce the microplastic levels in your body.

Yep, donation is an efficient way to purge anything that doesn't metabolize on its own, including lead. You'd probably have to make a habit of it for a little while for there to be a difference. However that benefit might be offset if anything about the donation process introduces new microplastics or heavy metals.

As a Canadian who has donated blood over 40 times (too old now) I was always appalled that any blood component donation would be paid for.

The issue is blood donation takes 15 minutes and one puncture, but plasma takes 2 hours and, as I understand it, 2 punctures. The machine processes your blood and returns it to you without the plasma.

That's a lot to ask of a donor, and there wouldn't be enough donors otherwise. The Twinkies they give at blood donation centers wouldn't cut it.

In my town, where unemployment is low, there are always plenty of people lined up to make $70 in two hours. It's a form of subsistence for folks who can't make a living any other way, and they make several hundred dollars per month. The amount paid to donors is no doubt a tiny fraction of the total cost of a transfusion, and I'd rather have people selling this replenish-able organ than having a shortage of it.

Aah, I can see that the extra time involved would need some incentive. 
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood, so at least you are not losing red blood cells, which take weeks to replace.  The proteins in plasma take a few days.

Mind you, there were times in my life that an excuse to sit and relax for 2 hours with no one making demands on my time would have been incentive enough.    ;-)

Now I'm off to Google how the Canadian Red Cross gets plasma.

[ChpBstrd]

Mind you, there were times in my life that an excuse to sit and relax for 2 hours with no one making demands on my time would have been incentive enough.    ;-)

It's actually appealing to me as a chance to just lay down for a bit and read a book or listen to an audiobook. I have trouble making downtime for myself, and this kinda forces it. Haven't tried donating yet, but I keep it in mind.

[uniwelder]

Mind you, there were times in my life that an excuse to sit and relax for 2 hours with no one making demands on my time would have been incentive enough.    ;-)

It's actually appealing to me as a chance to just lay down for a bit and read a book or listen to an audiobook. I have trouble making downtime for myself, and this kinda forces it. Haven't tried donating yet, but I keep it in mind.

I watch Netflix for 2 hours when I do platelets.  We don't have it at home, so that's my opportunity to catch up on movies or shows I wouldn't see otherwise.

I don't think an audiobook would work for me, as I'd probably just fall asleep without some visual to keep me focused.  Reading a book would be impossible with two immobile arms, though platelets (maybe plasma places too, depending on the machine) can be done with a single arm, though it takes longer.  Having one arm free is really nice because you can still eat snacks or scratch your nose.  I went with that technique after multiple failures to hit a vein in my left arm, although my right arm has the 'Alaskan pipeline' as they call it.

[Drink Coffee And Stack Money]

The issue is blood donation takes 15 minutes and one puncture, but plasma takes 2 hours and, as I understand it, 2 punctures. The machine processes your blood and returns it to you without the plasma.

I've only ever had one stick/puncture per donation. The machine runs a cycle where the blood is extracted, the plasma separated into it's own container, and the blood is then returned to the same stick/vein it was extracted from; then the next cycle will start a minute later. Everyone is different but it would typically only take me 4 cycles and about 35-45 minutes to complete a donation. With that being said I've completed a donation MANY times where the person next to me or across from me who started at the same time as me or before was only half finished with their donation when I left. Like I said, everyone is different. The plasma center was also on the road I took to and from work so it was convenient for me and an easy way to pick up $30-$100 in an hour. The donation center I donated at had a progressive pay scale where your first donation of the month only paid $30-$35 and the eighth and final donation of the month paid at least $100. They do this to keep you coming back. The last time I checked the pay scale (2022'ish?) you were paid a minimum of $50 for your first donation every month and could make up to $750 a month for the full eight donations. Hell, I have a six figure salary now and I still think about donating from time to time because for me it was an easy and relatively painless process; and who couldn't use an extra $750 a month?

[Cranky]

My daughter tried it when she was in college. She said it felt creepy and only did it once (and this is the kid who ate a work for money 💰 in middle school.)

It is my understanding that plasma is sold for the manufacture of some sort of pharmaceuticals not used directly for patients.

[RetiredAt63]

My daughter tried it when she was in college. She said it felt creepy and only did it once (and this is the kid who ate a work for money 💰 in middle school.)

It is my understanding that plasma is sold for the manufacture of some sort of pharmaceuticals not used directly for patients.

I did Google it, and the proteins are isolated and used for various pharmaceuticals.  Things like interferon.

[okits]

Now I'm off to Google how the Canadian Red Cross gets plasma.

What did you end up finding out, @RetiredAt63 ?

I am under the impression that there are not enough unpaid donations and so Canadian Blood Services purchases the shortfall from countries that do pay for donations.

[franklin4]

I sold plasma for a few months 20+ years ago in college and never felt negative affects. But I recall a college student looking girl who passed out. And once a staffer asked a black man whose plasma bottle was really cloudy if he ate a lot of skins and he said yes.

[Dr. Pepper]

My brother used to do this when he was between jobs, I think depending on where your located the rates are probably not going to be worth your time, especially if you don't need the money.

Also keep in mind your veins are perishable things, after so many donations the veins that are being accessed will scar down and be no longer usable. It will be different for different people.  You really never know what the future will bring, and your potentially trading something you may need in the future.

[uniwelder]

I sold plasma for a few months 20+ years ago in college and never felt negative affects. But I recall a college student looking girl who passed out. And once a staffer asked a black man whose plasma bottle was really cloudy if he ate a lot of skins and he said yes.

What in the world does this even mean?  Skins = potato chips?  I've never heard that term.  High sodium level maybe?  The guy being black somehow relevant?

[RetiredAt63]

Now I'm off to Google how the Canadian Red Cross gets plasma.

What did you end up finding out, @RetiredAt63 ?

I am under the impression that there are not enough unpaid donations and so Canadian Blood Services purchases the shortfall from countries that do pay for donations.

Plasma donation is unpaid except for a few private clinics.  We do import some as well as doing our own.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies/activities/fact-sheets/plasma-donation-canada.html

https://www.blood.ca/en/plasma/plasma-and-blood-system-supply-chain

[ChpBstrd]

I sold plasma for a few months 20+ years ago in college and never felt negative affects. But I recall a college student looking girl who passed out. And once a staffer asked a black man whose plasma bottle was really cloudy if he ate a lot of skins and he said yes.

What in the world does this even mean?  Skins = potato chips?  I've never heard that term.  High sodium level maybe?  The guy being black somehow relevant?

Pork rinds?

[franklin4]

Whatever kind of skin the guy was eating it was having a big impact on his blood and that's why I remember it. Maybe it was fried chicken?

[uniwelder]

Whatever kind of skin the guy was eating it was having a big impact on his blood and that's why I remember it. Maybe it was fried chicken?

I must think at least it's not related to cannabilism.  He'd have had to be screened out during the health questionnaire.