Plasma provides fast cash

by Chris Zeigler, contributing writer

Plasma donations are both a way to save the lives of countless individuals, as well as a good way to earn some extra money. 

BioLife Plasma Services, a part of Baxter Healthcare, is one of the many plasma-donating services in Harrisonburg.

Many plasma donors are JMU students. Assistant manager of BioLife Jennifer Minnick said students are interested in “doing the right thing, wanting to help people and not being solely motivated by the monetary compensation.” 

Donating once a week may earn donors up to $20, twice a week up to $50.

Just over half of the blood in the body consists of plasma.  Plasma, which has the color of apple juice, forms the liquid portion of a person’s blood and lymph. It consists primarily of water and protein and is used to move red and white blood cells as well as platelets through the body.

 Plasma cannot be synthesized in a laboratory; it can only be obtained from donors. However, it is easily replaced, which allows for many donations. 

Plasma can be donated up to twice per week.  The process usually takes about an hour and a half. During that time, donors lie back on a reclined chair with plenty of free time to study, read a book, listen to music or catch up on piled- up voicemail. 

Ben Budd, a former donor who now is an employee of BioLife, said, “It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s fun.” 

Senior Justin Davies said, “It’s a great service and you’re doing a great thing to save lives.”

Plasma donation allows college students to earn a little extra spending money, but the recipients of the plasma receive the gift of life.  “When donors come in here, and take and hour to an hour and a half out of their time and donate, they are making someone healthier, they are giving them back their life, they are making things better for them,” Minnick said. “It’s a simple thing, but it’s a beautiful thing.”