Plasma Donation Requirements and Qualifications
Who qualifies:
There are many ways to qualify to become an Access Biologicals“KEY” Specialty Donor…
- If you were recently diagnosed by a medical professional for any viral infection.
- If you were diagnosed with and are being treated for any autoimmune disorder.
- Other medical conditions may qualify .
- Must have or be able to obtain a copy of your blood test results for your condition to qualify.
Donor Requirements:
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs.
- You must have 2 pieces of identification. Photo I.D. and proof of Social Security Number or IRS Number
- You must have proof of current local address within the last 60 days. We can mail you a postcard if you do not have a current rent receipt or utility bill.
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You will be reimbursed for your time. The amount of compensation depends on the program for which you qualify.
- You must be negative for HIV, and Hepatitis C
Donor FAQs:
What is the Plasma Donation program?
Access Biologicals’ Plasma Donation Program educates and recruits patients who have been diagnosed with certain illnesses. Specifically, we look for patients who have either been diagnosed with an infectious disease in the past 2-3 weeks or who have ever been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or who carry rare, polyclonal antibodies.
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 gently separated from your red blood cells. The process allows for the collection of blood plasma only and returning your 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.
If you have any of the diseases we look for and you meet our specific donor qualifications, you can become a plasma donor for this vital quality control material. You will be compensated each and every time you donate (as much as $500 per donation, based on qualification).
Why Participate?
The importance of these donor programs cannot be stressed enough. There is no alternative to human volunteers as a source of these vital materials. Plasma, collected through a process called plasmapherisis, contains the antibodies that are used to make positive controls in diagnostic test kits.
Without human volunteer donors, these critical diagnostic test kits will not be available to patients seeking quick and accurate diagnoses. For more information on how you can take part in this compensated program, please contact us by email at info@accessbiologicals.com or call 1-800-510-4003.
How to participate?
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 first plasma donation:
- For your first appointment, plan on spending about 2 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.
- You will meet with a doctor and be given a free 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.
- After the donation you will be paid right there at the center (as much as $500 per donation).
- Further donations will then be scheduled.
Subsequent visits generally only take 45 minutes to an hour. You will not need to go through the paper work and the physical examination at your return visits. You will be paid at the center after each donation, and the recruiter will continue to schedule you for subsequent visits as long as your antibody levels stay high.
What is Plasmapheresis?
Plasmapheresis is a process similar to donating blood. The fluid portion, called plasma, is removed from the red blood cells using a sterile, disposable collection system. The red blood cells and platelets are returned to the donor while the plasma, which contains the antibodies, is retained. Due to the red blood cells and platelets being returned to the donor, plasmapheresis can be performed up to two times within a seven day period.
Plasma is the straw colored, liquid portion of the blood that is mainly composed of water. It contains the antibodies that are used to make positive controls in diagnostic test kits.
Donations are made at an Access Biologicals’s FDA licensed plasma collection center by an experienced healthcare professional. The plasmapheresis process usually only takes about an hour. Before donating a unit of plasma, it is best to drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids, such as water. Coffee, tea, and other caffeine containing liquids should be avoided due to their diuretic action.
How are my donations regulated?
Plasma collections are one of the most highly regulated procedures in the American health industry. Today, there are over 400 FDA-licensed antibody collection facilities across the United States, which perform approximately 13 million collection procedures a year and provide 60 percent of the world’s needs for antibody-based products. The antibodies collected are tested, registered, and approved before ever being released for therapeutic or diagnostic use.
Where do I go to donate?
Access Biologicals 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. If travel is necessary, all of your expenses will be covered, (i.e. mileage driven, flight, hotel, and ground transportation) ensuring that you will not have any out of pocket expenses.
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.
find out if you qualify and where you can donate.