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How to Sell Blood Plasma for Profit

How to Sell Blood Plasma for Profit

It’s easy to sell blood plasma for cash! It sounds a lot scarier than it is. In fact, many people have found that donating blood plasma is an easy way to earn more money on the side with minimal effort.

What is blood plasma?

Blood plasma is just one part of human blood. Specifically, it is the clear yellowish liquid part that carries the blood cells, platelets and other components around your body. About 55% of human blood is plasma.

This plasma cannot be created synthetically in a lab. It can only be obtained from healthy adults. This is why donation centers offer incentives and compensation, effectively allowing you to sell blood plasma for cash. You’re donating the plasma but they pay you for your time.

What will my blood plasma be used for?

Human blood plasma contains nearly 500 different types of proteins and around 150 of those are useful for diagnosing and treating diseases. When you sell blood plasma, you are helping scientists create treatments for many different conditions, including burns, rabies, tetanus, clotting disorders, immune disorders, Rh incompatibility in pregnant women and more.

How do I donate blood plasma?

Donating plasma is a lot like donating blood. You will visit the center, where they will place a needle into your arm vein to draw blood. Many people compare this experience to a mild bee sting.

The blood that comes out of your body will be whole blood, but you will only be donating the plasma part.

Once the whole blood is removed, the plasma will be separated from the red blood cells and other blood components. Those other components will be returned to your body along with a sterile saline solution.

The plasma will then be collected for donation.

man chooses to sell blood plasma for cash
People giving blood in a modern hospital

How long does it take to sell blood plasma?

Your first appointment will take about two hours. This is because you will have to undergo a physical examination, some virus testing, and a review of your medical history before you can begin donating.

On your second and subsequent visits, the process can usually be completed in 60-90 minutes.

Who can sell blood plasma?

Although each blood plasma donation center can set their own requirements, most donors must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
  • You must pass a medical examination, including a medical history screening and testing for transmissible diseases.

However, you should contact your local center to ensure that you meet their requirements. Some centers may limit donations from people who have recently been ill, or recently received immunizations, piercings or tattoos.

When you donate, you are usually expected to provide identification. This could include a state-issued ID, driver’s license, military ID, college student ID, Social Security Card and/or proof of address. Always check with the center nearest you before your appointment to make sure that you have the proper paperwork.

How much money can I make when I sell blood plasma?

Donation centers offer incentives and financial compensation to donors because plasma can only be collected from healthy adults. The compensation they offer isn’t actually for the plasma itself but for the time and effort it takes to complete the donation.

However, just as every center sets their own requirements, they also set their own compensation policies.

For example, BioLife Plasma Services is a nationwide donation center with around 170 centers in 35 states. As of this publication, they offer rates of up to $110 per donation. For example, new donors are offered $800 for their first 8 donations. They also have a referral bonus of $100 per person you refer to sell blood plasma at the center.

CSL Plasma, another large nationwide donation center network, states on their website that donors can get up to $1,100 but that exact amounts vary by location and donor weight.

You should always contact your local center for more information and be sure to check the center’s website for bonuses and additional details.

It appears that you may be able to increase your profit if you alternate donations between different centers. All of the centers I looked into offer bonuses for new users, as well as bonuses for people who are returning after several months of inactivity. If you donate at one center for a while, and then switch to another, you may be able to increase your profit. However, you would want to look at the exact terms and details provided by each center in order to make an informed decision.

How often can I donate plasma?

You can donate plasma once in a two-day period and only twice in a seven-day period, according to the United States Food & Drug Administration rules.

How long will it take to recover from donating blood plasma?

Your body will replace your blood plasma within 48 hours, so the recovery time is minimal. Some donors experience fatigue, nausea, bruising and dizziness after their donation.

Is there a blood plasma donation tax?

Wondering if the money you receive from blood plasma donation is taxable? The answer is most likely yes.

According to Dana Atchley, a  tax lawyer in New York, the answer is yes, that income must be reported on your tax returns whether or not you get a 1099 from the plasma center. If you are donating often enough, you may be considered self-employed and able to deduct some of your expenses associated with donating, such as special dietary supplements or travel.

CNN also says that this money would be taxable and cited a 1980 Tax Court Decision to back up their claims.

In that court decision, it was found that the person who received money for donating blood was receiving income similar to selling other products. The court found that the person was in the trade or business of selling blood plasma, and thus allowed to deduct “ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on her activity as a seller of blood plasma.”

Both sources said that you should speak to a local tax attorney if you have questions about your specific circumstances.

What else can I sell for money?

Did you know that you can sell your hair for cash too? Here’s a list of 8 body parts you can legally and safely sell for money. It may shock you!

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.

Leaaron

Wednesday 8th of March 2023

Hello and is there a place in area code 67401 i can sell the Plasma for? And do need to see if this is taxable or will the center do this automatically?

Leaaron

Saturday 18th of March 2023

@Catherine Marucci, Thank you. I hope the Red Cross will.

Catherine Marucci

Thursday 9th of March 2023

Hi Leaaron. If you go to Google and type in "67401 blood plasma donation near me," you should find some results in your area.