blood donation near me

It sounds like one of those "easy money" scams: Put your feet up for an hour, scroll through social media or watch some videos on your phone, get paid. But blood plasma donation is a legit industry, and becoming a donor doesn't take much effort at all.

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, the largest part, which contains antibodies to fight off infection. It’s full of proteins that are used to develop medicines for life-threatening diseases, but it's in short supply. It can take anywhere from 130 to 1,300 donations to make enough medicine to treat just one patient for one year, says Vlasta Hakes, director of corporate affairs at Grifols, a pharmaceutical company that makes blood plasma-based products.

How much money you make depends on where you're located and how much you weigh. (Typically, the more a donor weighs, the more plasma can be collected and the longer an appointment takes.) But at most donation centers, compensation is around $50 to $75 per appointment.

At the end of each appointment, payments are added to a reloaded debit card, and can be used immediately, says Rhonda Sciarra, the director of communications at CSL Plasma. This payment method is typical for plasma donation centers.

You can donate plasma more frequently than you can donate whole blood because you get some of your blood back after it's drawn and the plasma is separated from other components like red blood cells, says Amy Efantis, president and CEO of Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), which works with companies that make medicines with blood plasma.

The American Red Cross says donors can give plasma every 28 days and up to 13 times a year, but many private companies follow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) regulation, which allows people to donate plasma once every two days, or twice in a seven-day period.

No matter the location, you'll need to complete an extensive medical history screening and pass a medical examination before you're allowed to donate plasma. A screening will take place each time you donate to ensure you’re meeting the weight requirement, and that your blood pressure and iron level enable are in a safe range. At donation centers that work with PPTA, a more extensive medical exam is conducted before your first donation, and once a year after that, Efantis says. Donors will also need to get negative tests for transmissible viruses like hepatitis and HIV and have their protein and hemoglobin levels evaluated.

When you check in for your appointment, a clinic staffer will ask you some routine personal health questions, take your vitals — weight, pulse and blood pressure — and check your blood levels with a finger prick. While you're donating, you can read, watch TV, catch up on work or just veg out.

If it’s your first time donating plasma, the visit will last around two hours, since you'll need to provide your health history and do a more comprehensive physical exam. Return visits usually take closer to an hour.

Wait times vary by location, and since donation centers are taking pandemic precautions like physical distancing, enhanced cleaning processes and temperature checks, your wait time might be longer than usual.

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The blood plasma industry is steeped in controversy. Over the last several years, critics have called out donation facilities for targeting the poorest Americans, and for paying them far less than their donations are worth (as The Atlantic pointed out in 2018, plasma donors help sustain a multibillion-dollar global pharmaceutical industry).

Before you head to your appointment, make sure you’ve drunk plenty of fluids. Always let the screener know if you've had any recent surgeries or medical conditions, are taking any medications or have gotten a tattoo or piercing in the last year, since all of these activities can lead to medical complications.

"This center isn't even that busy. But the wait time is always longer than a hour to actually begin the donation. This staff is not bad at all they just dont have that sense of urgency you look for in a place like this where you want to be in and out in a decent amount of time"

Donor eligibility rules help to protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the person who will receive a blood transfusion. The general guidelines listed below will help you determine if you are eligible to donate blood or platelets.

Before donating, one of our medical professionals will discuss your health history with you in a private, confidential setting. After taking your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature and checking for anemia, we will determine whether you are eligible to be a donor.

To donate blood or platelets, you must be in good general health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 16 years old. Parental consent is required for blood donation by 16 year olds; 16 year olds are NOT eligible to donate platelets. No parental consent is required for those who are at least 17 years old. If you are 76 or older, you will need your doctor’s written approval for blood or platelet donation.

Good health means that you feel well and are able to carry out normal daily activities. If you have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you may still be eligible as long as you are receiving treatment to control your condition.

Blood donors must wait at least 56 days between blood donations and 7 days before donating platelets. Platelet donors may donate once every seven days, not to exceed six times in any eight-week period, and must wait 7 days before donating blood.

A noble sentiment. However, the US would not have a booming blood plasma industry in the first place if it weren’t for the fact that so many people have to resort to potentially endangering their own health in order to make ends meet. Even before the coronavirus hit, low-income Americans were selling blood plasma to get by.

I am not necessarily against the idea of allowing people to sell blood plasma: as long it is strictly regulated, the number of donations safely capped, and the pay fair. However, I am definitely against people having to resort to selling plasma because the lack of a meaningful welfare state, along with a stagnant minimum wage, means it’s the only way they can scrape by. Even if there were zero health consequences involved there is something fundamentally sickening about the blood plasma industry. According to one study, plasma donation centres are disproportionately located in low-income areas and the most frequent use of money earned from donating was paying for food and basic necessities. And this is happening in the richest country in the world. It should make your blood boil.

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The need for blood is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. You will feel good knowing you've helped change a life. Schedule an appointment at one of our locations.

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"My daughter received 4 lifesaving blood transfusions. I'm a committed blood donor with a rare type. It really pains me to give a bad review but the personnel in the blood mobile forgot to tag my donation and had to throw it out. Originally they lied about what happened but persistence paid off and they finally admitted what occurred. Sure am glad they are not giving transfusions. I'll keep giving blood because I know first hand how important it is. Just not with LifeSouth."

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I made an appointment earlier this week. I usually do Red Cross blood drives, but my wife talked me into this one. The location today was in front of the gun store in Smyrna. My appointment was at 1030a. I knock on the door at 10:27. After several knocks a white woman just says yes. Wtf!!! Why do you think someone is knocking on a blood drive bus. I said I'm here to donate blood. She ask if I had an appointment. I replied yes. She said well there's a wait right now. We have 3 chairs full and there is only 2 of us today. I asked how long of a wait it would be. She said around 45 min. I can call you when we are free. I will never ever book with this company again. I'll continue to book with red cross where they don't treat you like you are crap and respect your time.

I have been give platelets and plasma here for year now and have nothing but good things to say about this place. The staff super friendly and are really appreciative of you give and the facility is very clean and safe during these times. I highly recommend you giving through them.

My daughter received 4 lifesaving blood transfusions. I'm a committed blood donor with a rare type. It really pains me to give a bad review but the personnel in the blood mobile forgot to tag my donation and had to throw it out. Originally they lied about what happened but persistence paid off and they finally admitted what occurred. Sure am glad they are not giving transfusions. I'll keep giving blood because I know first hand how important it is. Just not with LifeSouth.

I haven't donated blood in a while but I wanted to again. I donated to LifeSouth back in 2012 when the blood mobile came by my job. I was already in the system so I figured it wouldn't take me long to donate again....and it wasn't.

Honestly, I had some time to chill and kill before meeting up with girl friends for dinner so I thought why not donate blood? I called in advance to see if I could just walk and in and I was able to. Even if I wasn't in the system, I would be able to just walk in. The paperwork processes would take longer but that's it.

Like all blood donation processes, they ask you some questions and prick your finger to check the blood's iron before donating. That process takes no longer than 10 minutes. I sat right away to get ready to donate. From the beginning to end of donating blood, it took no longer than 20 minutes. They constantly asked me if I wanted anything to drink or eat. I even got a cute t-shirt.

Overall, fast and friendly service. I am considering donating platelets next time. The process will be longer but I want to help saves. I am not able to donate any blood or even platelets until 8 weeks since I just donated blood.

My sisters and I came here to donate blood and platelets as part of Six Flags' Fright Fest Blood Drive. I had called ahead and made an appointment for 3 pm on a Thursday. They were offering 1 Six Flags ticket for each whole blood donation, and 2 Six Flags tickets for each donation of platelets through a process called apheresis (lifesouth.org/index.php?…).

I had previously donated whole blood to one of LifeSouth's blood mobiles, but this was my first time donating platelets. We arrived at the blood center about 10 minutes early and checked in, but we had to wait around 40 minutes to actually get our blood tested and actually start the donation process. -___-

If you have never donated blood before, what the phlebotomist initially does is have you fill out some paperwork, interview you (personal health questions and what countries you have traveled to, etc.), and prick your finger to test your blood. Once you pass the initial screening, you are taken to a comfy chair to begin the actual donation.

The staff had warned me that it would take about 91 minutes for me to donate platelets because of my size. It takes less time for people who are taller/larger - maybe about an hour or so.

One of the phlebotomists informed me that the needle would be smaller for the platelet donation than a whole blood donation, but I felt like it was bigger. I have a high tolerance for pain (whole blood donations barely hurt at all), but the platelet donation was kind of painful. I had to squeeze a ball (well, mine was in the shape of a hamburger - haha) every few seconds to help the blood flow, and I could feel the needle every time. Ow... And this really did take an hour and a half...

Fortunately, the seat is pretty comfortable, and you get your own TV and remote to occupy your time. The phlebotomist even brought me and my sister some ice cream because our lips started to get numb and tingly, which apparently is normal and caused by the saline solution that is pumped back into our bodies along with the rest of our blood (minus the platelets).

Overall, this LifeSouth Community Blood Center gets 4 stars - minus 1 star for the long wait to even get started (I was late to meet a friend afterwards) when there were only 2 people ahead of us and we had made appointments ahead of time. But the staff was very friendly (they even took some pics for us!) and welcoming.

Along with the free Six Flags tickets, they gave us free "Bleed for Your Football Team" T-shirts (they had a choice between UGA and GA Tech - I chose the GA Tech one because it was cuter). They really need more platelet donations, so I will definitely be back... Just hope it doesn't take as long next time! The whole process (from our appointment time to when I walked out the door) took about 2.5 hours!!! O_o

I went there the same day ... but wasn't able to donate blood or platelets. They told me my blood was no good because I recently got a tattoo. My friend called Lifesouth before the made her appointment and asked on my behalf to see if it was okay if I could give blood even if I recently got a tattoo. They told her that it was okay because I had gotten it in Miami, Florida.

But sadly ... I get there on my scheduled appointment time ... they go through the procedures. They pricked my finger and asked me a series of questions.

Then the big question ... have you gotten a tattoo within the year ... and I replied ... Yes. Then they look through the their paper works and ... see that I am not qualified.

I was sad because I wasn't able to support the vampires with their source of nutrients ... lol. But overall this Lifesouth facility is great to come by to donate. Because of their overall friendliness.

I've only been to this Life South.. I know that there are other Life South Community Blood Centers in Georgia.. but this was the only one my sibs and I have ever been to. And the staff working here are all so friendly!!

My sister, Angela H. made an appointment for 11 am to donate platelets and THIS TIME we didn't have to wait for a long time. We were on schedule.. I guess you could say that. My little sister (a young adult.. not a little girl) donated her plasma AND her platelets. How very generous of her! It took me about 83 minutes!! It was all right, though. I didn't feel sick at all! The only thing I felt was my mouth and face getting all numb and tingly.. that was normal, though (I read the information on donating platelets). Platelets look so yellow.. they sort of remind me of really light colored mustard!!! Ha ha ha!!

The nurse (I forgot her name.. but she helped me last time I donated platelets) gave us refreshments and snacks even after we finished donating platelets. Ohh and we got a shirt, too! They didn't have our size, though... but still.. I got my shirt!!! WHOO HOO!!!!

I heard of this blood and platelets giving thing from my sister. So my sisters and I went here to donate some platelets. It was my little sister's first time to give blood and it was my sister and my first to give platelets. I didn't know what platelets were until I read about it on a brochure that was in front of the front desk at Life South. The front desk woman was friendly, but we had to wait for a LONG TIME!! So I didn't like that, because my sister made an appointment at 3 pm. I'm pretty sure it took more than 15 minutes or so for us to get ourselves processed.

At first, the nurse that was suppose to take care of me seemed a little unfriendly, but once I asked her about the process of how the platelets were withdrawn from my body.. she was smiling and explaining to me how it was done.. and that's how she became friendly... weird, right? Well at least she was nice about it.

Later, my nurse gave me a rubber burger toy to squeeze on, but I guess my hands were just too small and weak to squeeze the darn thing! SO I asked her if I could get a softer ball. She gave me a red ball with a white star on it (it was much easier to squeeze.. and it reminded me of the ball from that children's movie called Coraline).

I was half-way through giving my platelets. My little sister was already done giving her blood, so she was accompanying my sister and me. My sister was next to me. It took me around 73 minutes for me to donate my platelets!!! Wow!!! And the nurse came and asked me if I wanted to drink or eat anything!! How sweet!! I got a nice cold bottle of water, some tum-tums and Blue Bell South vanilla bean ice cream!!!

During my platelets giving process, one of the staff members working there gave me 2 free tickets to Six Flags Over Georgia and also a t-shirt!!

There was also a elderly gentleman sitting across from me (diagonally) and after he was done the nurse asked him if he wanted 2 free tickets, too, but he declined the offer. He also declined her offer for a free t-shirt!! How generous of him!!!

Pleasant experience every time I go here. You get a free cholesterol screening and they even send you an email of what hospital your blood went to (local) if it is used. I love the entire atmosphere the phlebotomists are extremely professional. I'm a hard stick but I trust they don't do more than they have to. This time they were having a BBQ and giving away bags/shirts to the donors. Will definitely be back in 8 weeks.

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AABB encourages eligible individuals to donate blood regularly to help ensure that this lifesaving resource is readily available to patients whenever and wherever it is needed. To find a blood donation site near you, please provide at least a state or zip code using the Blood Donation Site Locator below. Once you have identified your nearest donation site, please be sure to first call ahead or visit their website to schedule an appointment and ensure donor eligibility.

The AABB Accreditation program is internationally recognized as a symbol of quality and excellence in healthcare and represents the facility's pledge that donors and patients will always receive optimal care.

AABB is the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies. AABB is dedicated to its mission of improving lives by making transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available, and effective worldwide.

AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) is an international, not-for-profit organization representing individuals and institutions involved in the fields of transfusion medicine and biotherapies. The Association works collaboratively to advance the field through the development and delivery of standards, accreditation and education programs. AABB is dedicated to its mission of improving lives by making transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available and effective worldwide.

By donating your child’s cord blood, you are providing a life-saving opportunity for someone else. Cord blood stem cells can help treat leukemia and other blood-borne diseases, as well as support research efforts. Because there are not enough cord blood matches at public banks for African-Americans and Hispanics who need treatment, donations made by African-American and Hispanic parents can help fill a critical need among minorities.

Cord blood donation for expectant parents is safe for both mother and child, and the process is simple. When you are admitted to the hospital, you will be asked whether you would like to donate. If you choose to, a patient representative will complete the appropriate paperwork to obtain your consent. A nurse will also draw your blood sample. After your baby is born, the cord blood will be collected by your doctor, along with the delivery of the afterbirth. If you choose not to donate your newborn’s umbilical cord blood, it will be discarded.

Piedmont Henry Hospital participates in a free cord blood donation program through LifeSouth Cord Blood Bank, a non-profit, public cord blood bank licensed by the FDA. Patients interested in donating their baby’s umbilical cord blood after delivery should discuss with their obstetrician or contact Piedmont Henry’s Labor & Delivery department during their pregnancy.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. This could be a little girl in the ICU or a mother with Stage 3 leukemia. If you’re worried about needles, don’t be—most blood donors compare the experience to a mild, split-second pinch! The entire process is very safe and very fast, and you will feel amazing knowing you potentially saved up to three people.

All healthy donors are urged to donate now; if you’ve had COVID-19 and have been symptom-free for 10 days, you are eligible to donate. Whatever your COVID-19 vaccination status, you are ABSOLUTELY allowed to give blood or platelets.