Chicago Plasma Donation Center

If you’re a first-time plasma donor, you’ll need a current, valid photo ID (must be 18 years old), Social Security Card & proof of current address (such as a piece of mail postmarked in the past 30 days, or a current lease). Active military are to provide the address where they receive mail & their physical address.

Our plasma centers have Free WiFi & HD Televisions to help you pass the time while donating. Feel free to bring books, tablets, magazines & music players or smartphones (with headphones, of course). 

Please note, phone calls & photographs are not permitted in our plasma donation centers out of respect for all our donors and their privacy.

You should expect your first visit to take 1-2 hours. It will take longer than normal donations, because of the initial donor suitability screening. This screening includes a video, medical history & an extensive health questionnaire. 

Your return visits will likely take less time, and times will vary by plasma center. We always suggest calling ahead before donating to ask about the days & times of the week where your donation time will be the quickest. All plasma centers should be able to offer a time estimate before you arrive.

As a first-time donor, a staff member will greet you at the front desk and check your required documents. You will watch a brief educational video, take a free health screening and answer a medical questionnaire to assure safety, then you can begin donating plasma if you are determined suitable. Please allow for up to two hours for your first visit.

After a successful plasma donation, you will be compensated. You can return for your second donation after 48 hours.  For a more comprehensive explanation of what to expect as a first-time donor, read more about the requirements to donate plasma.

Eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water is always important for your health. Make sure that you are well hydrated – drink 6-8 cups of water or juice the day before and the day of your plasma donation. Additionally, eat protein-rich and iron-rich meals at least 3 hours before donating. Follow the link for more info on how to prepare & what to do before donating plasma.

Octapharma Plasma adheres to all U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines, which permit two plasma donations within a seven-day period, with at least 48 hours in between donations. Your body replaces the donated plasma within 24 to 48 hours. This means that if you donate on Monday, you can donate again on Wednesday. So, drink plenty of water following donations to help your body replace fluids. 

If you want to permanently switch the days that you donate, that is not a problem. Most people wait a full seven-days in-between weekly schedules to guarantee they can select any new days they prefer to avoid any issues. Contact your local donation center staff to discuss the easiest way to change your schedule.  

It’s important to come back for your second visit. The first time you donate plasma we test your donation sample to make sure it’s safe to use in life-saving medicines. We cannot use your first plasma donation until after you make your second donation with us. Fortunately, however, we still compensate you for your first donation. Don’t forget to come back & donate again 2 to 14 days after your first visit.

Most Octapharma donors see payments appear on their prepaid card within 24 hours after a successful plasma donation. If you have not received your payment and it has been more than 24 hours since your last donation, contact your local donation center. 

¡Hola! Los centros de Octapharma Plasma aceptan donantes que hablan español. Para confirmar si su centro de donación local acepta donantes que hablan español, comuníquese con ellos mediante este enlace para encontrar su centro.