How do I Donate Plasma in North Carolina?

Choosing to donate blood makes you an essential part of saving people's lives. Everyday someone benefits from blood plasma donations in North Carolina and across the world. Taking the time to donate is a selfless act. Donating requires a dedication of travel and time. Donation centers will have you complete a pre-donation physical and screening. The Food and Drug Administration plays a vital roll ensuring patients who receive blood transfusions are protected. A series of questions will be asked along with tests for viruses such has HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.

Instructions

• 1

  Locate a center near your home. In North Carolina, the American Red Cross is a government-regulated agency that can help you donate plasma. Blood donation centers in North Carolina operate differently at each location. Once you locate a donation center near you, call for the hours of operation and eligibility requirements.

• 2

  Review eligibility requirements before you go. At the Red Cross in Asheville, North Carolina, you can donate blood at age 16 with parental consent or you can come in at age 17 as a legal donor. The weight requirement is 110 pounds. You must pass two medical examinations, one for transmittable viruses, and the other for medical history screening before you can give blood.

• 3

  List the medications you are taking. You will need to give this information to the North Carolina donation center. Bring two forms of identification. A driver's license and a donor card or two other types of identification such as a birth certificate, credit card, and a social security card are acceptable forms of ID.

• 4

  Prepare to stay about one hour. The screening process will take a while to complete. According to, "The American Red Cross FAQ check," the actual donation process only takes about 10 to 12 minutes. You will be asked to go the canteen to get a light snack before you leave the facility and continue to hydrate yourself for the rest of the day. You will give one pint of blood, hydrating helps with the formation of blood cells.