In the USA, the need for blood transfusion is demanded every two seconds. Similar to blood transfusion, plasma is equally important and necessary in certain life-saving treatments and procedures. Plasma demands are quite high in hospitals and medical centers, more than one can even perceive. As a plasma donor, one can have a huge impact on the lives of patients and their family members. The question that the majority of people are concerned about is ‘how many times can you donate plasma’. When one is considering plasma donation, he/she must realize that it is not similar to blood donation.
Rising demand for plasma-based treatments
Sometimes people require specific transfusion in the form of plasma. Plasma can treat a wide range of conditions, starting from bleeding disorders, cancer, immunodeficiencies, trauma, and rare health diseases. In the past few years, the demand for plasma-derived medicine is increasing at a rate of 10% to 12 % yearly. Hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities in the USA are in urgent need of blood plasma. Due to the lack of knowledge about plasma donation and how it can be beneficial, healthcare professionals and patients depending on plasma-based treatments seem to be in a challenging position. The unfortunate thing is the present blood supply via donation is not adequate for plasma.
Eligibility for plasma donation
Similar to blood donations, plasma donations have more or less the same guidelines. To become a qualified plasma donor, it is necessary to maintain a minimum body weight of 110 pounds and good health. Good health indicates that he/she shouldn’t suffer from any medical conditions or chronic disease. It is not worth risking one’s life by donating plasma. Additionally, the donor shouldn’t risk a receiver’s life as well. For instance, one is not qualified to donate plasma, if he/she suffers from any blood-borne disease. This is because it might affect the recipients. Similarly, when a donor has hemophilia (blood disorder), donating plasma can be a risk factor for the donor.
How many times?
Plasma consists of mainly 90% water, indicating that the human body can replenish plasma quickly. An eligible candidate can donate plasma at least twice or three in seven days, within a day’s interval in between. So the question that often donors ask is ‘how many times can you donate plasma’ has an answer now. Therefore, if an individual is willing to donate plasma, and it is the first time, he/she can be assured that multiple donations can be done in a week. Before plasma donation, mandatory health screening is conducted and vitals are checked for safety. The whole process from start till the end won’t take more than an hour.
Conclusion
One of the biggest benefits of plasma donation is helping thousands of patients to continue with plasma-based life-saving therapies and treatments every day. One also gets compensated well for donating plasma. Once a donor can find out ‘how many times can you donate plasma’ in a month, he/she can calculate the amount that can be earned easily. Frequent plasma donors can easily make thousands of dollars every year while saving thousands of patients in the USA.