Saving lives and earning money: Here’s how you can donate plasma in Charlotte

Donating plasma can help save lives, and you can earn extra money while doing it.

Some people across the country depend on plasma protein therapies to treat rare and chronic diseases, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Every year, 90,000 people in the U.S. are treated with plasma therapies, according to CSL Behring, a biotech company that develops medicines to treat rare diseases.

Plasma is also used to help boost blood volume in trauma, burn and shock victims, according to the American Red Cross.

Similar to giving blood, plasma is retrieved by a needle placed in your arm through a process called plasmapheresis, according to DonatingPlasma.org, an online resource for information about plasma donation. Most patients compare the needle insertion to a mild bee sting, and the process usually takes about an hour.

Here’s who is eligible to give plasma, how much you can earn by donating, and where to give plasma in Charlotte.

How much can you earn by donating plasma?

Every plasma donation company sets its own compensation scale. According to Grifols, the parent company of Talecris Plasma Resources in Charlotte, new donors can earn more than $500 a month giving plasma regularly.

At Octapharma Plasma, another donation center in Charlotte, new donors can earn up to $900 each month by referring other donors.

Donors cannot give plasma more than once in a two-day period or twice in a seven-day period, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Who can donate plasma?

Each plasma donation facility has its own set of requirements, according to DHHS, but generally, plasma donors should:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Weigh at least 110 pounds

• Pass a medical exam and complete medical screening, including testing for a transmissible virus such as hepatitis and HIV

• Not have received a tattoo or piercing within the last four months

Are there any side effects to plasma donation?

According to DHHS, plasma donation does not cause any side effects for most people, but some donors can experience:

• Fatigue

• Bruising

• Bleeding

• Dehydration

• Dizziness

• Lightheadedness

• Fainting

These side effects can be prevented by drinking water and eating more iron-rich foods, according to HHS. If you experience serious side effects, you should contact a doctor immediately.

Where to donate plasma in Charlotte

Here are locations where you can donate plasma in Charlotte:

• Talecris Plasma Resources: 2901-A Freedom Dr., Charlotte, NC 28208; 731 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204

• CSL Plasma: 8404 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28262; 5500 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28212

• Octapharma Plasma: 5943 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217; 3120 Milton Rd., Charlotte, NC 28215; 5108 Reagan Dr. Suite 1, Charlotte, NC 28206; 10644 Westlake Dr., Charlotte, NC 28273

• BioLife Plasma Services: 5300 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217

• Charlotte Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center: 2425 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.