How to Find Plasma Donation Locations

Plasma is an essential blood component needed for modern medical practices, according to the American Red Cross, and plasma is sometimes referred to as the “gift of life” because of its essential nature. Plasma is collected at many blood donation facilities, though the process is somewhat different. Donating plasma usually takes just over an hour. Once you find a donation center in your area, ask about eligibility requirements to see if you can donate plasma.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit the American Red Cross website or call all 1-800-Red-Cross to find a plasma donation center in your area. Once you find one, you can make an appointment via the Internet or over the phone.

• 2

  Find a for-profit donation center as an alternative to the Red Cross, using the Biomat USA, Octa Pharma Plasma or Sera Care websites . The website has a map showing donation centers. Biomat USA, Octa Pharma Plasma and Sera Care are FDA-licensed private companies that provides plasma to hospitals and treatment centers for therapies used to treat diseases like hemophilia and immune disorders.

• 3

  Check the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association’s International Quality Plasma Program website to find a licensed plasma donation center. The IQPP is a program designed to help donors donate plasma safely and effectively and make sure recipients get high-quality, usable plasma donations for therapy. You can also search the DonatingPlasma.org donor center, which is run by the same organization.

• 4

  Contact a local hospital to see if it has a weekly, monthly or yearly blood and plasma drive. Some hospitals collect blood and plasma year round – others do it in coordination with groups like the American Red Cross at certain times of the year.