How to Donate Plasma in Northeast Pennsylvania

Your plasma donation assists hospitals in improving the quality of life of patients suffering from a variety of debilitating diseases, such as blood disorders and burns. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, which contains 92 percent water and 8 percent proteins. These proteins are used in blood transfusions and medications in hospitals throughout northeast Pennsylvania to help save lives.

Instructions

• 1

  Educate yourself on the eligibility requirements for becoming a plasma donor in northeast Pennsylvania. You must be between 18 and 65 years of age, a minimum of 110 lbs. and you must not have received any tattoos or piercings in the 12 months prior to your donation. You must also meet all of the health requirements during your physical exam.

• 2

  Contact a northeast Pennsylvania plasma center to make an appointment. Centers such as Biotest and the Interstate Companies are located in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre (see Resources). Take a copy of your photo identification, social security number and proof of your address to your appointment.

• 3

  See a doctor during your visit to undergo a physical exam. Your blood is drawn and tested for disease at this appointment.

• 4

  Schedule an appointment to come back to donate. You will spend between an hour and two hours hooked to the donation machine while it extracts the plasma from your blood and returns the blood to your body.