Plasma donation centers attract students by incentives

By Kelly Morse

Edited by Sarah Schuch and Meredith Mayberry

Companies offer large incentives to persuade adults to donate plasma the maximum amount of times regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which can lead to health issues.

In order to meet the increasing need for plasma, the pale yellow liquid portion in blood, companies give incentives to donors. Students flock to plasma donation centers that offer them incentives like $200 a month for donating eight times during that time period.

“I go in twice a week,” said Lynn Fischer, a Manistee sophomore. “I sit there for maybe an hour while I donate. I do homework. I usually bring my lap top.”

The American Red Cross, which does not offer monetary incentives, limits the number of time a person can donate a year to 12. While on the other hand, Biolife has no yearly limits.

“The only limits [Biolife] puts on donating plasma are the ones outlined by the FDA saying that a person cannot donate more than twice a week,” said Katie Pietrzak, Mount Pleasant Biolife assistant manager.

By adding up the figures, a person can donate 96 times a year at Biolife, compared to the American Red Cross' limit of 12.

When people donate the maximum amount, they increase their chance of bruising which can lead to more severe hematoma and localized infections as well as an array of other side-effects as outlined in the FDA’s Informed Consent Recommendations for Source Plasma Donors Participating in Plasmapheresis and Immunization Programs.

Biolife Plasma Services, located at 4279 Bluegrass Road, receives over half of their plasma donations from students.

“We have a very large student base here, probably because we are so close to campus,” Pietrzak said. “There are plasma donation centers located near college campuses all over Michigan and the United States.”

Despite the possible risks, students sign up to donate at Biolife because of not only monetary incentives, but prizes as well.

“Donate in March and you will be entered in a drawing to win Detroit Pistons' tickets, free food and gas cards,” states the Mount Pleasant Biolife Web site. “The more you donate, the more chances to win.”

Although donating plasma to the maximum limit may increase side effects, very little health risks are associated with the procedure if done in moderation. Plus, the plasma, which cannot be synthetically made, helps save millions of lives.

“There is a high demand nationally for plasma,” said Sarah Yonder, a university health services physician. “It is used for a wide variety of patients including those with certain blood disorders and cancers, cardiac conditions, burns, and transplants.”