How to Donate Plasma in Appleton, Wisconsin

Those who suffer from blood disorders and severe burns rely on the antibodies in donated blood plasma to improve their life quality. Plasma, which is a portion of the blood, is obtained through a process that removes blood, separates the plasma and returns the remainder of the blood to the donor. Plasma, which is 92 percent water and 8 percent antibodies, is then taken to hospitals for use in care of emergency and chronically ill patients.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you are eligible to donate plasma: You must be at least 18 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Donors may not have tattoos, piercings or have been pregnant in the past 12 months. Donors may be free of any type of disease or illness.

• 2

  Contact an Appleton plasma donation center to make an appointment. At your appointment, you will fill out a donor-application form and meet with a doctor for a routine physical examination, a blood test, and a discussion your medical history.

• 3

  Schedule a donation appointment when the center calls to you let you may be a donor. Bring a book or an iPod to keep you occupied while you donate, which takes as long as two hours the first time.

• 4

  Check with the front desk after you donate your plasma; most plasma centers offer payment to donors for the time spent donating. If you choose to donate again, you may do so, but you may not donate more than once every 48 hours and only twice per week.