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Donating plasma: saving lives and earning money
By Kay Dee Johansen
The Western Plasma Bank, located in the shopping center at 1000 N. 100 W., has many regular plasma donors. "I'm a plasma junkie," said Kim Molyneux, a junior at USU. "They know me on a first name basis." According to Molyneux donating plasma has many benefits. "For one I can study while I am waiting in line and when I'm finished giving plasma they feed me cookies, punch and hot chocolate, it's great!" She said. So what is plasma? Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. During a plasma donation, blood is drawn from your arm just like a regular blood donation. The blood then flows into a cell-separating machine. The machine spins the blood so only the plasma is removed and saved. The rest of your blood, which includes red blood cells and platelets, is returned to your body through the same line. Because it is the liquid portion of your blood, plasma can be donated twice a week. According to the Institute for Transfusion Medicine, plasma is used for many purposes one is conducting research on diseases. Plasma is also used to save the lives of burn victims, critically ill newborns or cardiovascular surgery patients to name a few. The Western Plasma Bank in Logan will pay first time donors $15, the next visit is $20 and the third is $30, and then it starts at $15 again. First time donors have to answer questionnaires and go through a physical, so expect to spend at least three hours at the plasma bank on the first visit. After that the average time to donate plasma is an hour. The plasma bank is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students should eat before donating
and drink plenty of water throughout the day. |
Archived Months:
September
1998 |
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