How to Donate Plasma for Money in Michigan: The Beginning Steps

There is no doubt that your plasma donation will help other people live because plasma is the key ingredient for treating patients suffering from many life-threatening conditions and other blood disorders. Without plasma, patients may not survive certain diseases and others would suffer needlessly with pain and disability.

You can donate plasma for the noble reasons, or you can donate plasma to earn extra cash ($40, maybe more per donation) for yourself or family. No matter what you decide, the outcome for the patients suffering from the life-threatening conditions and/or other blood disorders will benefit the same.

Things You'll Need

• Drivers License
• Social Security Card

Instructions

1. The requirements are the following:

   You must be between the ages of 18-58 years old;
   - Between 110 lbs - 400 lbs;
   - Good Health;
   - Cannot be any type of drug user or alcoholic;
   - Cannot have any tattoos on either arm (they claim if something goes wrong with the one arm and they have to switch to the other arm to draw the plasma, that other arm cannot have a tattoo either);
   - Cannot have any infectious diseases; and
   - You should have plenty of fluid (no alcohol, no caffeine) prior to coming in, and a well-balanced meal because with the plasma loss (just like giving blood), you may experience fainting or nausea, and the fluid and food should help prevent that.

2. To begin, go to one of these ZLB Plasma Centers in Michigan (please note that if you just walk in, go between the hours of 6:00 am - 8:00 am, unless you call ahead and make an appointment. Be ready to wait upwards of 3 hours, depending on how busy they are (the first time there is always the longest because you have to go through medical screening; the second time will be shorter, if you make it to a second time):

   5015 South Cedar Street, Suite #150
   Lansing, MI 48910
   M-F 6-7, Sat and Sun 7-5
   Ph: 517-394-0016 Fax: [phone]

   13770 Nine Mile Road
   Oak Park, MI 48237
   M-F 6-7, Sat and Sun 6-4
   Ph: 248-584-4400 Fax: [phone]

   (If you live in another State, go here to find your location: http://www.zlbplasma.com/s1/cs/enps/1167772006725/content/1167772006392/content.htm)

3. When you arrive, there is a sign in sheet, but that is for people that have already given plasma at least once, so wait at the counter so you can let them know you have either an appointment, or are a walk-in. You will need to show your Drivers License and Social Security Card. They will ask you the requirement questions - do not argue with them, they will not give in, they are following FDA Regulations.

4. Next, depending if you meet all these requirements, the next requirement is whether or not, you have strong enough veins. You can, at this point (instead of waiting forever), ask that your veins be checked (if they do not ask you first). All this consists of is going in the back and a nurse or technician will put a rubber band on your upper arm, as they do in drawing blood, and check your veins with their hands. They use a larger gauge needle for plasma and your veins have to be stronger for this procedure. You may or may not make it pass this point. The technician (or nurse) will let you know. If not, you cannot donate plasma, and you have to leave. If you have good veins, you are ready for the next step.

5. 

   Since, I made it through all this, only then to find out my veins were not good enough, I just wanted to write this to make sure everyone knew all of these pre-screening requirements before they spent their last bit of gasoline money and time on going to the plasma donation center just to be turned away. Please read the information provided on the center's website regarding the donations, it is helpful, but I was disappointed since they did not provide the whole story when I called. The center was crowded so there are many that can donate, and you can donate more than one time once approved. You will get paid cash immediately following each donation through a special ATM that is there at the center. They also have bonuses for new and repeat donors.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are lucky to donate, bring a good book to read (or an MP3 player with headphones) to pass the time.

• You will need to squeeze your hand to keep the blood circulating, but instead you can wiggle your feet, this will have the same reaction.

• If you do not have enough fluid or a good meal, you may experience side effects (as described above).