DONATE PLASMA | Biolynk | Disease State Plasma Specialists

READY TO

DONATE?

After you qualify for Biolynk's Donation Program, our specialists will walk you through the process and make your plasma donation easy, and rewarding.

Donation Process

DONATION PROCESS

Your First Plasma Donation:

For your first appointment, plan on spending about 3 hours at the donor center.
While you wait to donate, you will have your blood pressure checked as well as your pulse, temperature, and weight.
You will meet with a health care provider who will explain how the plasmapheresis process works and ask you the required donor questions.
You will meet with a doctor and be given a physical examination.
You will also be asked about your medical history.
You may be given a urinalysis and other basic lab procedures.
When it is time for you to donate, a nurse or a phlebotomist will direct you to a donor station where an IV will be placed in your arm to collect the needed plasma.
You will be monitored throughout the whole donation process by a nurse who will ensure that all safety procedures are being met.
The amount of plasma you will donate dpends entirely upon your weight. A full plasma donation does not exceed 880 mL.
After you are done donating, your blood will be spun down in a centrifuge in order to separate the red blood cells from the plasma.
After your plasma is spun down, you will receive your red blood cells back along with some saline (salty water) so as to replace the volume of fluid lost.
Once you are done donating, you will be monetarily compensated.
Further donations will then be scheduled.

Subsequent Visits:

On subsequent visits, plan on spending approximately 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours at the donor center.
You will have all your vital signs and weight taken.
You will be asked all of the required donor questions.
You will have a finger prick so that the donor center can test your protein and iron levels.
Once you are finished with the above procedures, you then donate you plasma (actual donation process is the same as above).
Once you are done donating, you will receive payment for your donation.
Further donations will then be scheduled.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

STEP 1 - Complete the Qualification Form and Contact Biolynk.

STEP 2 - If you qualify to participate, you will be scheduled to visit an FDA-licensed plasma collection facility. The facilities used for these donations meet the highest FDA standards, and all materials utilized in the plasma collection process are completely sterile and disposed of after each donation.

Your plasma will be collected via a process called plasmapheresis. This procedure is similar to donating whole blood (i.e. Red Cross). In the plasmapheresis process your plasma is collected alone returning your red blood cells back to you. This process typically leaves you without the blood donation side effects of being dizzy or weak. Your body will regenerate plasma collected by the donor centers within 24 hours. The FDA allows a patient to donate up to twice in a seven day period of time.

STEP 3 - Immediately following your donation, you will receive compensation, along with your Biolynk covered travel and lodging expenses.

STEP 4 - Continue donating as long as your plasma meets Biolynk's antibody program requirements.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is Plasma?

Plasma is the yellowish liquid which makes up 55% to 60% of a person's blood volume.

What is Plasmapheresis?

Plasmapheresis is a plasma donation. The process allows a donor to give just part of their blood - plasma.

Where do I go to donate?

Biolynk contracts with all major donor facilities in the Unites States. When possible, you will be referred to a center that is local to your area. In most cases, if long distance travel is necessary, all of your expenses will be covered, (i.e. flight, hotel, and ground transportation) ensuring that you will not have any out of pocket expenses.

Is it safe to donate plasma?

Donating plasma is a very safe procedure with minimal or no side effects. On your initial visit, you will receive a physical exam and your medical history will be recorded. On subsequent visits, a donor center staff member will check your vital signs and ask some questions about your health since your last donation.

The tubing and all other collection supplies that come in contact with your blood are discarded and replaced with new, sterile materials each time a donation procedure is performed. The plasma center’s professional medical staff is dedicated to making your visit comfortable and rewarding. You can spend the donation time relaxing, listening to music, or reading.

How often can I donate plasma?

The body replaces the plasma removed during the donation process quickly; therefore, the FDA allows you to donate as often as twice in a seven-day period, with at least 24 hours between donations.

How much plasma do I donate?

The FDA is very strict about how much plasma can be collected. The amount of plasma you donate depends on your weight. A single donation may not exceed 880 ml.

How long does it take to donate?

On your first visit, the whole process, including a physical exam and the plasma donation, usually takes about two hours. On subsequent visits, you can anticipate spending approximately an hour in the center.

FAQ