Side Hustle Nation is dedicated to improving your personal profitability. To do this, we often partner with companies that share that mission. If you sign up or make a purchase through one of our partners’ links, we may receive compensation—at no extra cost to you. Learn more. Show
Can you really make money donating plasma? Yes you can — up to $300 a month, in fact. But it’s probably not the best side hustle idea for everyone. In this post, I’ll share:
Want $500?Join the Free 5-Day $500 Challenge. I'll show you step-by-step how to add $500 to your bottom line. What is Blood Plasma and Why is it Needed?According to WebMD, plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. While plasma is roughly 90% water, it also contains important minerals, hormones, proteins, and nutrients. The lives of millions of Americans are saved every year due to plasma proteins. Blood plasma contains more than 400 different proteins, and of those, 150 are important for medical emergencies. Even just one donation can save three lives (though you have to give at least twice for your plasma to be used). What Blood Plasma DoesBlood plasma:
What is Donated Plasma Used For?Physicians use plasma for the treatment of many types of serious health issues. For example, the chemicals and antibodies in plasma that enable clotting are important for treating trauma and burns. Other uses for plasma include:
(If your blood type is AB, your plasma is extremely important. People with AB blood are considered “universal plasma donors” because anyone can use it regardless of their blood type.) Fun Fact: This is different from standard blood donation, where blood type O-negative is the universal donor. Plasma Donation Requirements and EligibilityThe collection of plasma is a big business in the medical community. This is because plasma can save a lot of lives. Making a donation is both ethical and noble—even if you’re getting paid. There are basic requirements you must meet before you will be able to donate plasma. You must:
You may be ineligible to donate if you:
The exact rules vary by state, but every donor must meet the essential requirements detailed above. When you donate plasma, you’re accepting an important responsibility. If there’s any chance your blood could pose a risk to potential recipients, stop right now. How Donating Plasma for Money Works: An InterviewBethany said this little side hustle covered her rent in college! The Plasma Donation ProcessFinding a Plasma Donation Center Near YouIf you’re interested in donating plasma, you need to find a collection center in your area. Your best option is to search online: It’s important to understand these types of center are not government institutions. While the FDA regulates and inspects all US-based donation centers, the agency is not involved with the management of any of these centers. In most cases, an appointment is not required. The centers usually accept walk-ins during most hours of the day. (Though calling in advance can save time, and you may be able to fill out their forms online.) The best time to donate is in the morning because you’ll feel more refreshed. What to Bring to the Plasma Donation CenterMake sure to bring your social security card, photo ID card, and proof of address. If you don’t have a social security card, a border crossing identification may be accepted. I’d also recommend bringing a jacket or blanket. When you arrive at the plasma donation center, you’ll be greeted by the receptionist. They’ll give you the relevant paperwork to fill out, which includes your personal information and complete medical history. The details on your paperwork will be checked using the identification you provided. Before You Donate PlasmaBefore making a donation, you’ll receive an examination by the medical staff at the donation center. They’ll determine if you’re fit enough to make a donation. Your basic exam will most likely include a:
Your blood sample is used to check your iron, protein, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. If you’re approved, you can make a donation now. If You Get RejectedIf you don’t qualify to donate plasma, you may receive one of two different kinds of deferrals:
The most common reasons for a temporary deferral are if you’re:
In this instance, the center will tell you what steps to take and when you can come back to make a donation. A permanent deferral can be given for numerous reasons. You may not meet the weight requirement (though I suppose you could always try and bulk up if it’s something you really have your heart set on!), or you may have a specific medical condition that can have a negative impact on anyone receiving your blood plasma. If you think your permanent deferral was a mistake, you can try to have it overturned. This will require an exam and note from your primary care physician. Is Donating Plasma Painful?The majority of individuals who have donated plasma stated the needle felt like “a very mild bee sting.” Every time you donate, you will be required to have a finger stick to check your hemoglobin and protein levels. The actual discomfort is very similar to donating blood. If you’re comfortable donating blood, you shouldn’t experience any issues donating plasma. Once the donation center is ready to begin, you’ll be seated in a chair in a semi-reclined position. The procedure looks a lot like when you donate blood. In addition to the finger stick, an IV and needle will be used to draw your blood. Your blood (minus the plasma, of course) will be returned to your body through the IV. Your blood is mixed with saline prior to being returned. This can be extremely cold and some people find it uncomfortable. Bring a jacket or blanket with you. How Long Does Donating Plasma Take?While your first donation can take as long as 2-3 hours to complete the entire procedure, your next donation shouldn’t take more than 90 minutes. Still, you do need to physically be at the location—it’s definitely not a passive income idea. Risks and Side Effects of Donating PlasmaWhen you make a donation, vital minerals, vitamins and fluids are being removed from your body. This is why your health status must be assessed by medical professionals before you’re approved to donate If you have any visible signs of a disease or an addiction, the technician will recommend medical treatment—and you won’t be allowed to donate. Still, even if you’re in good health and approved by the technician for donation, there are potential side effects. A plasma donation does have an impact on your body. You won’t leave feeling the same way you did when you first arrived. How to Prepare Your BodyMake sure to get a good night’s rest before donating. Have a good dinner the night before and eat a healthy breakfast the next morning. One plasma donor I spoke to emphasized the importance of drinking a lot of water before he went in. Compared to being dehydrated, he said it made the donation process much faster! You should also be feeling emotionally stable to help ensure you successfully make a donation. Once your donation is complete, avoid any stressful activities for the remainder of the day. Your main priorities need to be rest and hydration. Your body needs 24 to 48 hours to recover from the impact of your donation and to restore normal plasma levels. Your body needs 24 to 48 hours to recover from the impact of your donation and to restore normal plasma levels. Thankfully, most side effects aren’t severe, and usually disappear on their own with fluids and rest. Most Common Plasma Donation Side EffectsYou should be on the lookout for the most common side effects when you donate plasma. These include:
One of the least common side effects is a reaction to the citrate, the anticoagulant used to prevent your blood from clotting during the procedure. Some donors have a reaction such as a tingling sensation around the mouth and nose or in the fingers. If the case is severe, there can be a slowing or rapid pulse, shivering, shortness of breath or twitching. The signs to look for include:
These symptoms can become severe if not treated. The severe symptoms include:
Want $500?Join the Free 5-Day $500 Challenge. I'll show you step-by-step how to add $500 to your bottom line. Are There Long Term Side Effects of Donating Plasma Frequently?If you donate plasma frequently (or are planning to), you’re probably wondering if there are any long-term side effects. Although your body replenishes your plasma very quickly, long term side effects can include:
The worst-case scenario, while rare, is hypocalcemia. This condition can be fatal. Some individuals experience tingling, fainting, numbness, seizures, or muscle contractions. Depleting your calcium can be very dangerous, leading to serious health conditions. This includes heart arrhythmias, osteoporosis, breathing issues, chronic kidney issues, seizures, eye strain, and brittle bones. Super Important Disclaimer: consult your doctor before entering any sort of plasma donation routine! How Often Can You Donate Plasma?Some centers allow you to make two donations per week, while others restrict you to one donation per month. Limitations have been set by the FDA for plasma donations to ensure the safety and health of the individual. How Much Money Can You Make Donating Plasma?You’ll typically be paid between $20 and $50 for each donation. Depending on how often you donate, you can earn as much as $300 per month donating plasma. Overall, that might work out to around $20-30 an hour. Why does plasma donation pay and blood donation not? The plasma procedure pays because it is more involved and requires more time. (If you’re afraid of needles, this obviously isn’t the best way for you to make extra money.) The actual amount depends on how much you are being paid and how often you are making your donations. Before you make a donation, look on the Internet to see if you can find any coupons for first-time donors. Some of the centers provide coupons as an additional incentive to make a donation: How Do You Get Paid?The majority of donation centers will give you either a debit card or a prepaid gift card to make the process as smooth as possible. I think that’s pretty annoying—I’d prefer just to get cash—but understand why they do it that way. Is Your Plasma Donation Income Taxable?There’s actually a lot of debate on this subject! According to the IRS, your donation is classified as a non-cash gift and does not have to be reported as a part of your income. (Though some plasma donors insist the income is taxable, none mentioned receiving 1099s for their donations or reporting their income.) However, don’t consider this tax advice and be sure to consult with your accountant for a more definitive answer. Is Donating Plasma Ethical?Look, it’s your blood and time. You should be able to do what you choose with your own plasma. On top of that, you’re helping save lives. The bottom line is, yes a plasma donation is considered ethical. The only scenario I can thank of that would be unethical is if you knowingly didn’t meet the donation safety requirements and attempted to donate anyway. Then you’re putting lives at risk—and for what? To make a few extra bucks? Can You Donate Plasma for Free?If you’re uncomfortable accepting payment for your plasma donation, you can make a donation for free. (Or you could always donate your earnings to charity.) Some people are not comfortable donating without knowing where or how their donation will be used. If this is how you feel, there are centers accepting donations strictly for medical purposes and saving lives. In most cases, you’ll only be able to make one donation every 28 days. Remember, every donation you make can potentially save three lives. That’s worth a lot more than whatever payment you might receive. Donating Plasma as a Side Hustle: ConclusionsDonating plasma is certainly a viable option to earn extra money in your spare time. However, I think it is best for people who:
On the plus side, it’s a relatively easy way to add some breathing room to your budget. On the down side, it can be time-consuming and comes with potential side effects. And it will be difficult to scale beyond a $300 a month. What could you do instead? Here’s a monster list of ways to make extra money. Here are some of the leading options that might be a good fit. Focus Groups, Consumer Research Studies, and SurveysSeveral companies facilitate online and in-person consumer research studies and focus groups. My personal favorite is Respondent, where the average pay rate is over $100 an hour. Here’s our full Respondent review. If you have downtime during your day (like to go donate plasma), you might be interested in these online survey sites and apps. Generally they pay very little, but it can add up, and they’ve very easy to do:
Driving for DollarsYou’ve probably heard of people driving with Lyft or Uber to earn extra money. These have an advantage over donating plasma in that you’re not limited to doing it 2x a week! You can do these as your schedule allows. And if you don’t like the idea of having strangers in your car, there are some interesting delivery options as well, including:
*For illustrative purposes only, actual earnings may differ and depend on expenses. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) and includes compensation from peak pay, tips, and other incentives. Mobile Notary ServiceSeveral Side Hustle Nation readers have reported great success ($1500 a month and up!) becoming loan signing agents. Check the link above to learn more about how this side hustle works and why it might just be “the best kept secret in real estate.”
Want $500?Join the Free 5-Day $500 Challenge. I'll show you step-by-step how to add $500 to your bottom line. Your TurnWhat do you think? Have you donated plasma and gotten paid for it? Let me know in the comments below!
The award-winning Side Hustle Show is a Listen in your favorite podcast app or directly in your browser. Is donating plasma worth it?Donating does a lot of good. Blood plasma is needed for many modern medical therapies. These include treatments for immune system conditions, bleeding, and respiratory disorders, as well as blood transfusions and wound healing. Plasma donation is necessary to collect enough plasma for medical treatments.
How often can you donate plasma?How often can you donate plasma? You can donate plasma as often as every 2 weeks, if you wish. This is more often than blood donation where men have to wait 12 weeks and women 16 weeks between donations.
Does it hurt to give plasma?For most people, donating plasma does not cause any side effects, but some donors can experience fatigue, bruising, bleeding, or dehydration. Additionally, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. While not typical, fainting can also occur. It's rare, but more serious infections or reactions can occur, which can be treated.
What plasma center pays the most?11 Highest Paying Plasma Donation Centers. Interstate Blood Bank.. Grifols.. KEDPLASMA.. Immunotek.. Octapharma Plasma.. GCAM Plasma.. Vitalant.. American Red Cross.. |
How much you get paid for plasma donation
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 en.frojeostern Inc.
