Off topic

How to make money donating blood plasma

Donating blood plasma is one of the simplest ways to make money on the side, and almost anyone can do it. I've have been a donor myself for about two years, and I donate pretty often when my schedule allows it. The barriers to entry are low: you must be a healthy adult between the ages of 18 and 69, weigh 110 pounds, and have at least an hour of free time per week.

Per government regulations, they'll let you donate up to twice a week with at least 2 days between each visit. Some donations may take longer than an hour, but I've found that I'm typically done within less than 90 minutes.

Money on the table

So what's the earnings potential? It turns out that donating plasma can be pretty lucrative. Compensation varies depending on where you donate, but I'll give you a general idea of what to expect. Most centers will pay you per donation. Where I go, the rate is $20.00 for the first and $30.00 for the second donation every week. That's $200 a month! Occasionally, my plasma center will also run promotions to raise the value of the second donation to $40.

How does it work?

Making money donating blood plasma is an easy game to get into. It is simple, relatively pain free, and reliable. Usually, I just go in and read a book or listen to music while I wait for the process to complete. My donation center even offers free wifi, which I've used to watch netflix while donating.

As a new donor, you will be given a prepaid debit card. Then each time you donate the card will be loaded with your payment as soon as you finish donating. There's no waiting for a paycheck: as soon as you complete your donation, the money will be available to you.

By this point, you probably still have several questions. What's it like to donate plasma? Does it hurt? Is it safe? What should you expect? Below, you'll find a guide that answers these questions in depth.

Step 1: Preparation & Initial Screening

Once you decide you're ready to donate, you'll need to schedule an appointment with your local donation center. I recommend BioLife Plasma, which has many locations around the country, and is the one that I go to in State College. The first time you donate will take the longest. They'll give you a quick physical exam, and then you'll be asked a bunch of questions about your medical history - whether you've had an STD, what medications you're taking - to make sure it is safe for you to donate. This initial screening takes about an hour, but it's only done the first time you go. For subsequent visits, you'll still need to fill out a quick questionnaire, but it's just to make sure nothing has changed in your life that would affect your ability to donate.

Step 2: Vitals

Before they take any plasma from you, a technician at your donation center will test your heart rate, blood pressure. They'll also draw a little bit of blood from the tip of your finger in order to check your iron levels. This feels like a sharp pinch, a little less painful than a bee sting. The technician will determine if you're healthy enough to donate, and you'll not be permitted to continue on if these measurements are outside of their acceptable range. Remember, the donation center is concerned about your health - a healthy donor is a donor that will keep coming back in the future.

Step 3: Donate

The donation process itself is pretty painless. You'll be led into a large room where you'll meet your Phlebotomist. Donation centers always have multiple Phlebotomists on staff, and FDA regulations ensure that each one is restricted to only a few patients at a time, so there should always be someone available to help you during the procedure. I've never had a bad experience with a Phlebotomist - all the ones I've worked with have been friendly, well trained, and professional.

After making you comfortable, your Phlebotomist will dab the inside of your elbow with an iodine solution (if you're allergic, they have alternative ways of sanitizing your skin). Next, he or she will insert a needle into your right or left arm - you usually get to choose which one. The needle puncture is about the same as donating blood with the Red Cross, or getting an IV. There will be some pain for a few seconds but it goes away for the rest of the procedure.

Some advice: You should drink a lot of water during the hours prior to your appointment. If you're dehydrated, the donation will take much longer than it needs to.

Step 4: Get paid

As noted before, most centers will pay you as soon as you're finished. You'll be given a pre-paid debit card that gets loaded with money each time you complete a successful donation. Mine is a Visa card, so it works basically everywhere.

Step 5: You're Done!

I recommend grabbing something to eat not long after you leave, because I usually feel a little more tired than usual on days that I donate. Plus, food is awesome. Celebrate any excuse to eat!

If you make it part of your schedule to donate twice a week, then you can earn up to $2,400 dollars a year! I call that easy money.