Plasma is the blood component that makes up the majority of your blood when compared to red blood cells or platelets. When you break your blood down into the three components, it actually makes up about 55% of the blood. It is most often a translucent yellowish color and water actually makes up about 90% of plasma. One of the main jobs of plasma is to help carry away used vitamins, proteins, and other spent nutrients from the blood stream.
One of the most common things that we as Conversational Marketing™ Experts (CMEs) really address with donors is the question of “Do I get paid to donate blood?” The act of donating blood, for the most part, is willingly voluntary. Most donors understand this and are proud that they volunteer to be a blood donor. After all, it is a pretty awesome thing that one person can do. Sadly, when people donate plasma for money, which is understandable with the current economic times, it doesn’t really go to where it is needed the most.
But what happens to my plasma donation?
Be sure to check with your local plasma center and what organization owns and operates the facility. These centers are commonly owned by parent pharmaceutical companies that use plasma for research and testing with new medications.
This can be a definite blow to a local blood center who supplies hospitals with blood for lifesaving procedures. I actually used to donate plasma myself before finding my job at Incept. I wasn’t being paid for my plasma but rather for the time I spent at the plasma center. While I was younger and struggling to put gas money into my Honda, I wish I would’ve known more about where my plasma was being used.
Take the time to ask your local plasma center where their donations go, and ask them if they can supply a list of hospitals they help. Better yet, donate at a local volunteer blood center to guarantee that your blood will be used to actually help someone out.
What experience(s) do you have from donating plasma?