How to Donate Plasma in Kentucky

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, which is made up of more than 92 percent water. The remaining 8 percent of your plasma consists of antibodies and proteins used to fight blood disorders in patients suffering from disorders such as hemophilia or severe blood loss due to trauma. Donating your plasma requires you to be hooked to a machine that extracts your blood, separates your plasma from your whole blood and returns your blood -- minus your plasma -- to your body.

Instructions

• 1

  See if you meet the plasma donor eligibility requirements in Kentucky. You must be at least 18 years of age but you cannot be older than 64, you cannot weigh more than 250 pounds and you mustn't have had a baby or any new piercings or tattoos in the 12 months prior to your donation date.

• 2

  Contact a Kentucky plasma donation center (see Resources). Schedule an appointment to fill out the application for donation and to see an onsite physician for a complete physical exam and medical history. You must be able to provide photo identification and proof of your citizenship to the donation center. A driver's license, state ID card, military or government ID, passport or birth certificate are all accepted.

• 3

  Provide the physician with your complete medical history. Undergo a physical exam and have your blood drawn to test for disease. You are then taken to the donation room, where you will spend between one and two hours hooked to a donation machine. You are encouraged to bring entertainment for this time.

• 4

  Receive your compensation for donating your plasma. Not all facilities pay for plasma and the rate varies at those that do. You can donate two times a week after your first session, but you may not donate more than once in a 48-hour period.