Time to make some blood plasma money

Looking for a way to make some extra cash?

Well if you don’t mind needles and sitting in a waiting room,

donating plasma can provide some supplementary income.

Plus, it’s definitely a karma booster. Plasma is used for many biomedical products and can be a lifesaver for burn victims

and Immune Deficiency Syndrome patients.

Grifols Biomat, USA Inc. is Boise’s only plasma donation services site. Located on 4017 Overland Rd., it’s a 10-minute drive from the Boise State University campus.

First-time donors need to bring a driver’s license, social security card and proof of residence – such as a bill mailed to your address.

While you sit in the waiting room listening for your name to be called, talk to fellow donors around you. You are bound to find a diverse range of ages, personalities and lifestyles.

I talked to BSU student Bailey Laufenburger, who started donating plasma to pay for her sorority dues at Delta Beta Nu.

Many people fear the pain of the needle.

“The worst thing is the finger prick at the beginning. The actual needle doesn’t bother me,” Laufenburger said. She finds the staff helpful and the overall experience to be positive.

“I’ve already told five other people about it. It’s an easy way to make money.”

So how much money will you make? First-time donors receive $30, second-timers get $40. After that you can donate two times per week, the first time yields $15 and the second yields $30. That means first time-donors can make up to $205 their first month – not too shabby.

Before you are approved to actually donate, everyone must go through a screening. This includes a finger prick to test your blood for sufficient iron and protein levels.

After you hop on the scale, a blood pressure cuff is wrapped around your arm, a thermometer is stuck in your mouth and a series of questions are rapidly fired at you. Basically, they want to screen out HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B, West Nile and bird flu, so if you have any of these aliments you need not apply.

Once you pass through the screening, you are led back to a large room with around 20 donation seats.

Here’s the part when they stick the needle in your vein. This part can either be painless or very uncomfortable, depending on the phlebotomist sticking you.

After the machine beeps, the phlebotomist will remove the needle and you are free to pick up your cash at the window. If you’re interested in becoming a donor, set aside at least three hours for your first time.

After that, I would suggest having at least a two-hour window to get everything done. The time spent in the waiting room can be long, depending on the day and time that you go.

So you might want to bring a book to read, some homework or perhaps just kick back and watch whatever movie is playing.

The staff is comprised of young and friendly professionals who keep the experience interesting. They are always looking for new donors, as there is always a demand for plasma, especially with an aging population.

Don Forney, quality supervisor at Grifols reminds everyone that, “You don’t realize how much of a difference you make."

TERESA ARENZ
Culture Writer

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