What is plasma? What is its function?
Plasma is the clear yellowish fluid portion of the blood that transports water and nutrients to all the cells in the body. It is composed of approximately 90 percent water and 10 percent protein and electrolytes. Through the natural metabolic process, aided by a healthy diet, the body generates water and proteins.

What is the relationship between plasma and blood?
Blood is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma makes up approximately 55 percent of the volume of blood. About 7 percent of a person's weight is blood. An average sized man has about 12 pints of blood and an average woman has about 9 pints.

What is plasmapheresis?
Plasmapheresis is the process of removing whole blood and separating red blood cells from plasma. The red blood cells are returned to the donor and the plasma is retained for medical use.

Who can donate plasma?
Donors must be 18 or older (minimum age in Nebraska is 19), must be in good physical health and lead a low-risk lifestyle. Learn More

How often can plasma be donated?
Plasma is quickly replaced by the body, normally within 24 hours. A person may donate no more than 2 times every 7 days with at least a 1 day interval between donations.

How long does it take to donate plasma?
The first visit takes 2 to 3 hours, due to screening to ensure that the donor meets health standards. Subsequent visits will usually last slightly over 1 hour.

What is involved in donating plasma?
The process of donating plasma is similar to donating whole blood. The donor is comfortably reclined during the donation. A needle is placed in the vein of a donor’s arm and blood is collected in sterile equipment. The plasma is separated from the cellular portion of your blood which is returned to the donor through the same needle. Learn More

Are there risks to donating plasma?
Donating plasma is safe as disposable and sterile equipment are used throughout the donation process. All of our Plasma Centers are licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as various European and Asian agencies, under strict guidelines.

What are the possible side effects after donating plasma?
A small number of donors may become light-headed during or immediately after donating plasma. Some donors may experience a slight bruising at the site of the needle placement. These and other possible side effects will be explained by our medical staff during the donors first visit to the center.

How do I benefit?
The time a person spends donating plasma is valuable. For this reason, remuneration will be offered to the donor. Most importantly, everyone who needs plasma products benefits from plasma donations. In many cases there is no alternative for the patients who rely on products made from donated plasma. Learn More