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donating blood vs plasma, which does most good?
I currently donate blood like clockwork every 2 months, but I know it's also possible to donate plasma more regularly. I don't care about the money gains (much, I suppose I can donate the money to charity) but I am interested in which helps the most people. I'm wondering if someone could give me a rundown of the pro's and cons of the two methods. in particular
1) can I donate blood and plasma at the same time? I know I have to wait at least 60 days after donating blood to donate plasma, but it sounds like donating plasma for the 20 days between when I'm allowed to donate and when I next donate blood is possible?
2) can I do more good donating plasma then blood if I just give up on blood donation entirely?
3) how flexible are plasma collection locations to work around my job commitments? and how logn does it usually take?
4) how much do they pay, for my charitable donations! ;)
5) odd questions I know, but would the added strain on my body from plasma donation decrease fertility? My assumptio is "yes, but by a negligable amount" but have to ask lol.
In general though I want to chop up my body into as many pieces as possible (I'm also a bone marrow and organ donor, already 'misplaced' a kidney lol) and hand them out in the way that does the most good. If I can use plasma donation as a viable way to do more good I would like to, if I knew how without it interfering with the good I already do donating blood. Any information is appreciated.
3 Answers
- ?Lv 59 years agoFavorite Answer
Plasma is a component of whole blood and when a whole blood is separated into components, plasma is one of the components.
Therefore, it's hard to say say donating blood is superior to donating blood or plasma donation is superior to blood donation. Whether you'll give whole blood or plasma, you'll still save lives. A pint of whole blood can save three lives while a pint of plasma can be used as an important ingredient in pharmaceutical products.
You ask if you can donate blood and plasma at the same time. The answer is no. You may experience health complications should you're donating too much blood. It's better to follow the required time frame of 56 days apart.
Plasma donation usually takes 45 minutes and for any appointment, questions and other inquiries - don't hesitate to call the local plasma center.
Source(s): http://bloodbanker.com/banks/ - 9 years ago
You cannot donate both plasma and blood in the same time period, at least not legally.
From my experience you can donate plasma twice a week, and where I go they pay $25 per donation. When you donate plasma they hook you up to a machine which spins out all of the plasma from your blood and then give you back all of the red platelets; the needle never leaves your arm during this time. The actual donation usually takes between 45 minutes to and hour and a half. The location I frequent has extremely flexible scheduling but stops taking in new donations at 6 pm.
Plasma is extremely helpful, but so is donating blood. Honestly I'd go for the plasma as you can donate much more often AND get paid for it AND you get your red blood cells back .(so all you lose is plasma, which is mostly just water, salt, and protein).
No, there would be no added strain on your body from plasma donations, actually there would be less strain as compared to donating blood; you lose less fluids and get your red blood cells put back in your body. And, um, no, plasma donation does not decrease fertility in any way shape or form. Why would you think that?
Source(s): Personal experience; no medical expertise
