How to Donate Plasma for Money in Michigan: The Beginning Steps

Donating plasma is a noble endeavor that helps people in serious need. Knowing and meeting the requirements for donating your plasma in Michigan ensures you'll be paid when you're done. Payment amount depends on the donation location. The most important qualifications for donating plasma are that you are 18 or older, weigh more than 110 pounds and physically healthy. If you meet the initial criteria, you can prepare for the screening process required to donate plasma.

Before a plasma donation, you'll want to prepare physically for it. Eat a healthful, balanced diet with foods rich in iron and protein. Get rest and hydrate yourself before going in for a plasma donation. If you're sick or on medications, wait to donate. Once you're ready, call to make an appointment with the donation center closest to you. If you walk in to donate plasma, you may have to wait quite a while before getting in.

Your donation center will have a screening process to complete before you'll be permitted to donate plasma. You're screened for blood-borne diseases and viruses, as well as hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. Certain medical conditions will exclude you from donating. Be honest with the person screening you with regard to health issues, tattoos or recent surgeries. While the collected blood is screened for problems, the screening process helps weed out potential issues early in the process.

Once done with the intensive screening process, you're able to give plasma. You'll be brought into a room where medical personnel will draw your blood and extract your plasma. It's not an invasive procedure and shouldn't hurt. The procedure takes time, up to three hours during a first visit, so you may want to bring a book or MP3 player to keep yourself occupied while you wait. Keep the blood flowing by squeezing your hand or wiggling your feet.

Some of the side effects related to donating plasma are nausea and feeling lightheaded. Staying hydrated and eating a light meal before and after donating helps keep these feelings at bay. You can donate only a certain amount of plasma in a week; trying to donate more than this isn't good for your health. Taking good care of your body with regular exercise and eating right helps keep these side effects to a minimum.