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Plasma Donation Experience
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Plasma Donation Process, Experience & Requirements

How to Donate Plasma

When you choose to donate with Octapharma Plasma, we want to create an experience that gives you a sense of pride and purpose.

We strive to elevate the plasma donation process by providing the highest quality environment and services. Here’s a peek at the plasma donation requirements & what you should expect during your first visit.

Plasma Donation Requirements - Octapharma staff happily assists donor in center

How Long Does It Take to Donate Plasma?

plasma donations take a short amount of time to make a big difference
The total time it takes to donate plasma varies due to many factors. Your first visit will take longer than return visits, because of the initial donor onboarding process. This process includes a video, medical history review, health exam, and brief health questionnaire.
Your return visits will take a little over an hour and will not include the onboarding video and initial health exam.
To maximize your donation, it is very important to be hydrated, so make sure you drink plenty of water the day before and the day of your donation.

Plasma Donor Eligibility

Before you come in to donate, please be sure you meet the plasma donor eligibility requirements. Take a look at these general guidelines.

Plasma donation requirements: Octapharma plasma patient celebrates with friends

Age

  • Must be 18-70

Weight

  • Minimum 110 lbs
  • Maximum 400 lbs

Residency

  • Social Security Number
  • Proof of local address

Medical Examination

  • During first visit only
  • Annually thereafter

Viral Testing

  • Hepatitis (negative)
  • HIV (negative)
  • Parvo B19 (negative)

Diet and Hydration Recommendations

  • High protein and iron-rich foods
  • Plenty of water

Tattoos & Piercings

  • 4-month deferral

Pregnancy

  • You cannot donate plasma while pregnant.
  • Donations can begin 6-12 months after pregnancy ends
  • Check with your doctor prior to donating

Frequency

  • U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines: 2 donations within a 7-day period, with at least 2 days between those 2 donations

What to Bring with You to Donate Plasma

When you donate plasma at Octapharma Plasma, there are a few essential things you’ll need to have with you.

what are requirements for donating plasma - octapharma plasma

Requirements to Donate Plasma

If you’re a first-time donor, you’ll need:

  • Current, valid photo ID (must be 18 years old)
  • Proof of your Social Security number
  • Proof of current address (such as a piece of mail postmarked in the past 60 days, or a current lease)
  • Active military are to provide the address where they receive mail & their physical address

Enhance Your Experience

Our centers have:

  • Free WiFi
  • HD televisions

Feel free to bring:

  • Books
  • Tablets
  • Magazines
  • Music players or smartphones (with headphones, of course).

Restrictions

Please note, the following are not permitted in our donation centers:

  • Phone calls (allowed in the lobby)
  • Photography
  • Sleeping
  • Weapons
  • Food/Drink (allowed in the lobby)
  • Noise from electronic devices; please use headphones.​

What to Expect During Your First Plasma Donation

Welcome

As a first-time donor, a staff member will greet you at the front desk to review your documents.

Learn

Then, you will be given a brief educational video to watch.

Health Screening

From there, you will have a free health screening, checking of hematocrit levels and will complete a medical questionnaire with one of our medical staff to ensure you are an excellent candidate to donate.

Donate

Sit down and relax while you donate. One of our licensed phlebotomists will be available to you throughout the donation process.

Payment

After a successful donation, you will be given your Octapharma Plasma prepaid card and your plasma donor payment will be loaded within 24 hours.

Return

We’d love to see you again. You can return for your second donation after 48 hours.


Find a Plasma Donation Center »

Don’t forget to come back within 14 days of your first visit. We cannot use your first plasma donation until you make your second donation with us.

Health and Nutrition Tips

Curious about what to eat before donating plasma? Eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water is always important for your health. Focusing on good nutrition is even more important before and after you donate plasma. Follow these tips to get your body ready to donate, and to prepare for a safe and successful plasma donation experience.

plasma donation health requirements - octapharma plasma

Before you donate plasma

  • Stay Hydrated – Drink 6 to 8 cups of water or juice the day before and day of your donation.
  • Eat Protein and Iron-Rich Food – Eat protein-rich, iron-rich meals at least 3 hours before donating.
    • Meat (Beef, Chicken, Eggs, Shrimp, Turkey, Ham)
    • Dairy (Milk, Cheese, Yogurt)
    • Beans, Nuts, Seeds
    • Vegetables (Broccoli, Collard Greens)
    • Fruits (Watermelon, Raisins)
    • Cereals (iron-enriched)
  • Get a good night’s sleep.
  • Wear comfortable clothes, with sleeves that can be pushed up to your shoulder.
  • Bring something to pass the time. Take advantage of free wi-fi at all of our donation centers with a smartphone or tablet, or bring music (with headphones, of course), a book, or a magazine.
  • Avoid fatty foods like french fries, potato chips, pizza, or sweets the day you donate. They can affect blood tests and make your plasma milky, which might prevent you from donating.
  • Avoid alcohol the night before and the day of your donation.
plasma donation tips: health requirements - eating healthy foods

After you donate plasma

  • Wait 2 days to donate plasma again. 
  • Continue to drink plenty of water.
  • Continue to eat foods rich in protein and iron.
  • Avoid smoking for 30 minutes and alcohol for 4 hours after donation.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after donating.
Octapharma plasma donation tips - family

We know you may have questions, visit our FAQs page to find out what other donors ask us.
VIEW ALL FAQS

Plasma Donation Resources

Quick Links to Donor Tools

OctaApp

Plasma donation at your fingertips with our mobile app.

Get OctaApp

OctaPass

Make your next plasma donation experience seamless & efficient by filling out our online OctaPass. Learn more about how it works.

Get OctaPass

Donor Portal

Determine your upcoming payment level based on your last 35 days of plasma donations.

Visit Donor Portal

OctaRewards

Our way of recognizing & rewarding valued donors! As a member, you earn points to qualify for tiered rewards including Express Passes, e-gift card

Join OctaRewards

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