Fact or Fiction? Addressing Common Questions About Plasma Donation

1. What exactly is plasma? Plasma refers to the light-yellow fluid part of your blood. Consisting mostly of water but also carrying salts, enzymes, antibodies, and other essential proteins and nutrients, it plays a critical role in fighting diseases and healing from injuries. As the largest of the four important components of human blood, alongside white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, it makes up about 55% of the total blood.¹

    

2. How does donating plasma differ from donating blood? Plasma donation isn’t that different from whole blood donation, but there are key differences when it comes to what’s being collected, how long it takes to collect, and how frequently you can donate. When you donate blood, an entire bag of blood is given, including blood cells, platelets, and, yes, plasma. This takes about 10–15 minutes. When you donate plasma, only the plasma is collected. The rest of the blood components are safely returned to your body, which is why plasma donation typically takes at least two hours for new donors and about one hour for returning donors to complete a donation. 

    

   You can donate plasma more frequently than whole blood because plasma is about 90% water, and your body can replenish it faster than blood cells and platelets.²

    

3. Why is donating plasma important? Your plasma has the power to save lives! When donors complete a successful plasma donation, it amounts to an incredible gift for someone with a rare disease, health emergency, or bleeding disorder. And every donation is critical since it takes hundreds of plasma donations to create a treatment for a single patient.³

    

If you’re considering donating plasma, you probably have some questions around how the process works and whether you’re eligible. We’re here to separate fact from fiction and help you confidently decide whether you’re ready to make a donation – and a difference.

It’s natural to want to understand how plasma donation might impact your health. Let’s start with a look at a common assumption we hear from first-time donors.

FICTION: Donating plasma is bad for your health.

We understand that a first-time plasma donor may be a bit nervous about donating. Fortunately, you can rest easy knowing that studies^[4,5] show repeat plasma donation is safe, with no evidence of long-term adverse health impacts. 

Our highly skilled teams at BioLife work hard to ensure donations are performed safely by conducting thorough pre-donation physicals and medical screenings and following strict protective measures that prioritize the well-being of all donors. This means our professionally trained employees check your vitals, wear protective gear, maintain a sterile environment, clean the collection site, and provide you with aftercare support.⁶

DID YOU KNOW? Plasma donation can be traced all the way back to World War II, where plasma was a critical component in treating wounded soldiers.⁷

As a donor, there are some best practices to follow, which you might recognize if you’ve ever donated blood. These include:

• only donating when you feel well⁸
• covering any scrapes or scratches on your skin before arriving at the center⁸
• staying hydrated and eating protein⁸
• avoiding lifting or strenuous arm activity on the day of donation⁸

If you have additional concerns, we’re here to answer any questions, and you can always reach out to your doctor prior to your appointment.

After learning that studies have shown plasma donation is just as safe as donating whole blood⁹, people often have questions about eligibility. Let’s clear up some confusion around what might disqualify someone from donating plasma.

FACT: All blood types can donate plasma.

It’s true – any blood type can donate plasma because all blood carries powerful antibodies that make advanced treatments possible. In order to donate, you’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements to become a donor.

FICTION: You can only donate plasma once per month.

Thanks to the amazing human body, plasma regenerates within 48 hours with proper hydration.¹⁰ This is why the FDA’s safety regulations permit donors to donate plasma twice within seven days, but no more than once in any 48-hour period.¹¹

• Plasma regenerates within 48 hours with proper hydration.¹⁰
• Donors have the ability to donate plasma twice within seven days, but no more than once in any 48-hour period.¹¹

At BioLife, we follow all FDA regulations for safe, frequent plasma donation, which means we require every donor to participate in a medical history screening and questionnaire and plasma protein blood test prior to each donation, as well as annual physical examinations starting on their first visit.

FICTION: People with tattoos or piercings cannot donate plasma.

A tattoo or piercing will not automatically disqualify you from donating plasma. However, BioLife donation centers adhere to policies and mandatory regulations that prioritize the health of both donor and recipient.

For example, potential donors are temporarily ineligible if they have gotten a tattoo or piercing in the past four months to ensure that the site has healed completely and is infection-free.¹²

As a prospective and eligible donor, you’re probably wondering what the actual donation process is like.

FICTION: Donating plasma is painful and/or uncomfortable.

Most plasma donors feel little to no pain.¹³ Like any blood donation process, you might experience a brief stinging sensation from the needle, but that part is over quickly.

Once collection is underway, you are free to enjoy quiet time relaxing with your smartphone or a book you’re reading. Our expert staff is attentive throughout the entire process to ensure you’re comfortable until collection is complete. Afterward, you’ll be given some basic care instructions to follow. 

So, why give? Many people see it as truly win-win.

FACT: Donating plasma benefits you and the recipient.

True! Plasma-derived therapies help save the lives of people with chronic conditions like immune deficiencies and hemophilia. That’s pretty incredible! Donating also benefits you, the donor. It’s a uniquely rewarding experience knowing that your donation can help family, friends, or others who need plasma-derived therapies live healthier, higher-quality lives.

You’re also compensated for your time and commitment. You can even get additional compensation through our Buddy Bonus program by referring others to help save lives through plasma donation (if your referral completes a donation).

“My wife is the reason I donate. When she told me about the large number of plasma donations needed to make just one of her treatments, I started donating right away. I want others to know that when you donate, you're making a life-changing difference for people who rely on these medicines every day.”

– Jeremiah

FICTION: Plasma can be made in a lab.

While it is true that scientists are hard at work developing synthetic plasma, no such substitute currently exists. Simply put, plasma cannot be made in a lab.¹⁴ This means that those in need of plasma therapies are entirely dependent on a consistent supply of donated plasma. Plasma donations are the only way many people can continue to receive the life-saving treatments derived from plasma.

Making the Difference

We rely on the generosity of our donors to help make sure no one goes without critical plasma-derived therapies. Hopefully, you now have the information you need to decide if donating is right for you. If you still have questions, please stop by your local center to chat with our knowledgeable staff.

When you’re ready, it’s easy to set up an initial screening appointment for us to verify your eligibility and answer any remaining questions you may have before donating.

DID YOU KNOW?

• 16.5 million – the number of people across the globe estimated to have received a plasma-derived protein product during 2022, including 1.65 million people in the U.S.¹⁵
• 1,200 – the number of plasma donations required to treat a single hemophilia A patient for 1 year¹⁶
• 1938 – the year Dr. Charles Drew first discovered how to separate plasma from whole blood¹⁷
• 1952 – the year plasma began to be used to treat primary immunodeficiencies¹⁷

Donate Now

1 “Plasma,” Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, accessed November 30, 2024, https://www.pptaglobal.org/plasma

2 “What’s the difference between blood and plasma donation?,” Plasma Hero, accessed January 19, 2024, https://www.plasmahero.org/news/whats-difference-between-blood-and-plasma-donation

3 “What Is Plasma Used For?”, BioLife Plasma Services, accessed November 30, 2024, https://www.biolifeplasma.com/why-donate/benefits-of-donating

4 “Study Confirms That Frequency of Source Plasma Donations as Regulated by U.S. FDA Does Not Impair Donor Health and Well-Being,” Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, August 25, 2023, https://www.pptaglobal.org/material/study-confirms-that-frequency-of-source-plasma-donation-as-regulated-by-u-s-fda-does-not-impair-donor-health-and-well-being

5 Schulzki, T et al, “A prospective multicentre study on the safety of long-term intensive plasmapheresis in donors (SIPLA),” Vox sanguinis vol. 91,2 (2006): 162-73. doi:10.1111/j.1423-0410.2006.00794.x, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16907878/

6 “Is Donating Plasma Safe?”, BioLife Plasma Services, accessed November 30, 2024, https://www.biolifeplasma.com/donation-process/donor-safety

7 “History of Blood Transfusion,” American Red Cross, accessed December 18, 2024, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood/blood-transfusions/history-blood-transfusion.html

8 “Is Donating Plasma Safe?”, BioLife Plasma Services, accessed November 30, 2024, https://www.biolifeplasma.com/donation-process/donor-safety

9 Cho, Joseph H. and Hiskey, Matthew, "Plasmavigilance: Source Plasma Joins the Call to Arms," Transfusion, 2021; 61(10):2803-2805

10 Giving=Living, “The Process for Giving Plasma, Step-by-Step,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, last reviewed September 27, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/givingequalsliving/giveplasma/giving-process

11 Giving=Living, “The Process for Giving Plasma, Step-by-Step,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, last reviewed September 27, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/givingequalsliving/giveplasma/giving-process

12 “Can You Donate Plasma with Piercings and Tattoos?”, BioLife Plasma Services, September 22, 2023, https://www.biolifeplasma.com/blog/donate-plasma-tattoo-piercing

13 Giving=Living, “Have Concerns? Check Out These Answers to Common Questions,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, last reviewed September 27, 2022, https://www.hhs.gov/givingequalsliving/giveplasma/common-concerns

14 “Made from Plasma,” Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, accessed November 30, 2024, https://www.uniquelysavinglives.org/plasma

15 “The Plasma Industry,” Marketing Research Bureau, accessed January 20, 2025, https://marketingresearchbureau.com/the-plasma-industry

16 “Rare Diseases,” Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, accessed November 30, 2024, https://www.pptaglobal.org/material/rare-diseases

17 “How Plasma Saved Lives Through the Ages, from 1918 to WWII to Today,” Plasma Hero, November 7, 2023, https://www.plasmahero.org/news/how-plasma-saved-lives-through-ages-1918-wwii-today

BIOLIFE and logo are registered trademarks of Baxalta Incorporated. Takeda and logo are registered trademarks of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. © 2025 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. All rights reserved.