Donating Plasma
 

I'm headed back to school in the fall (undergrad at OU), and my daily schedule is pretty much packed. Basically, there's no time for a job, unless I can find one that will give me less than 5 hrs a week, well spaced out.

Generally I sell my services (computer and bike repair) for some sidecash, but in the event business is slow, I'll need some other sort of income to keep me supplied with food less bad than ramen.

There's a place right off campus where I can donate plasma for $20 a pop, once a week. That, combined with a little ingenuity on my part, should get me chicken and tuna at mealtime.

Does anyone have any experience with donating plasma? Does it leave you weaker? Will it interfere with my training, that's the most important bit. If it will, then I guess I'll just take up whoring myself out on the streets to beautiful (but lonely) coeds.

my friend did it he said it didnt hurt it was just weird he watched movies while he was doing it!

I donate plasma and platelets about once a month. Since you keep all your RBCs, there's very little effect on your aerobic capacity. And yes, you get to watch a movie. Now that I have toddlers, it's about the only chance I get to watch a movie.

And have you thought about, ahem, sperm donation? I think they pay better.

The danger in selling plasma is an increased risk of dehydration. Just make sure you drink more when you are training than you usually would, and you should be fine.

I second both Caloso and Manual_overide. I just donated last night (platelets and plasma) at the RedCross. I have seen one of the pay for centers here in Portland and I was more than nervous. I'll take the red cross but then again, I'm working....and yet somehow I still eat alot of Ramen....oh well. Just stay hydrated after the fact and you should be ok.

That'd be great, I'm a tall guy with a good muscular build, I'll be in great shape in a few months, high intelligence, very personable...

now if only my family didn't have a severe history of alcoholism and drug addiction, and an even worse history of various cancers. also bad eyesight and flat feet. :(



thanks for your responses though, I always stay plenty hydrated so I'm not worried about that, and I used to be a regular blood donor and needles don't bother me at all.

It's relatively quick, painless, it's a good thing to do (think burn victims and pharmaceutical research) and it pays a few bucks. Paid my rent as a very poor grad student donating plasma. Pay special attention to your hydration on the day before and the day of your donation and you'll be fine, fitness-wise.

I've done my fair share of ferisis donations. Dozens, no doubt. I'm a ten gallon blood donor as well.
I've never had any adverse affects. It's time consuming.
Something in me believes that it's good to 'let' some blood on a regular basis and allow the body to replensh itself.
And short of free pretzels and bad coffee, I've never received any compensation.

bad coffee? sounds like you were in the wrong donation centers. Red Cross always gives me nutter butters and OJ. glorious!

I used to do it twice a week never noticed anything from it. I did it for quite a few years.

Plasma donating takes a huge percentage of your protein. I donate and I also train pretty hard. If your sure you take in enough protein on a regular basis then you should be ok. I usually take in about 130 to 140grams on the days I donate so I'm sure to have enough left for a training and muscle building.

I'm not worried about protein intake - the only thing i love more than a good hamburger (with a side of steak) is a good peanut butter sandwich and a tall glass of milk. mmmm....