Care You Can Count On: Meet Our Plasma Donation Center Leadership

Every day, BioLife centers welcome donors like you who donate plasma for life-saving medicines. At the heart of each visit are our center leaders, who focus on making your time with us smooth, safe, and rewarding from the moment you walk in.

To shine a light on their role, we sat down with three donation center leaders who care deeply about the difference plasma donations make:

• McKenna B., assistant manager, Fort Worth, TX
• Christina H., training supervisor, Des Moines, IA
• Dylan A., center supervisor, Missoula, MT

Each of these amazing team members has worked at BioLife for about five years and is incredibly passionate about how plasma donation helps patients with serious illnesses. Their work impacts the lives of donors and plasma recipients every day!

The talented technicians we spoke with shared different professional and personal reasons for joining the world of plasma donation. What they all have in common though is that they do a lot more than just draw blood (also known as phlebotomy). They show up in a big way each day with a deep desire to help others.

What inspired you to work in plasma donation, and how did you find BioLife?

“I was hoping to get my feet wet with phlebotomy and work my way further into the field,” shares Dylan, who finds inspiration in family members who work in the medical world.

McKenna has a similar story. “I originally joined BioLife while I was completing my bachelor’s degree,” she states. McKenna began her career with BioLife as a senior plasma technician, with an eye toward a career in healthcare.

Christina, now a training supervisor, came to BioLife after taking time to be a stay-at-home mom. “My best friend, a dedicated nurse at BioLife’s Ankeny [Iowa] location, shared inspiring insights about the organization,” recalls Christina, who says BioLife’s commitment to producing life-saving medications was her motivation.

For these center leaders, safety goes beyond a checklist—it's a personal mission. From deep cleaning routines to caring donor screenings, our staff make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.

How have you helped donors feel safe? 

Dylan highlights the importance of reminding new and existing staff of safety rules. “Making sure our expectations are clear and understandable makes a world of difference when we are focused on donor safety,” notes Dylan. 

McKenna approaches the question from another angle, pointing out that pre-donation screenings occasionally turn up something that makes someone unable to donate for the time being. For example, a donor with low iron may not be able to safely donate on that day. When delays happen, she points to the importance of donor education. “I make sure to clarify if they have any questions and [to provide] all the information they need.” 

Donors are at the center of everything we do! That’s why our teams work to create the best, most supportive experience possible. 

What do you enjoy most about interacting with donors? 

“I appreciate how real the donors are,” shares Dylan, who often puts new donors at ease with humor. “They come in with all of the experiences they are going through (both good and bad), and sometimes just talking about it with them helps improve their day.” 

Many donors become regulars, coming in up to twice a week, so many of our team members like to build bonds with them. 

“The longer you’re there, the more you can call donors by name,” says Christina. “I really enjoy that they start to know about my life, just as I learn about theirs.” 

Every appointment’s an opportunity to partner with donors like you to help others. We want your time with us to be like visiting old friends!

We know you might feel a little uncertain when you’re preparing for your first donation. To help you get ready, we asked our center leaders to share their best tips. 

Do you have any tips for first-time donors? 

McKenna urges donors to “bring proper documentation.” 

We’ve put together a list of acceptable forms of ID here. Take a look to make sure you bring the right docs to your appointment. 

Eating well also makes a big difference, according to Christina. “I encourage all donors to eat a healthy meal prior to their donation and to drink at least half their body weight in ounces of water to help ensure healthy veins,” she says. 

When it’s time to donate, Dylan adds, “If anything does not feel 100% (you feel warm, dizzy, nauseous), always be sure to let your techs know! We have many things we can do to help you feel better.” 

What’s something donors might not know about the plasma donation process? 

It’s pretty common to have questions about what it’s like to donate plasma. Hearing first-hand from our center staff is the best way to get the real scoop. 

According to Dylan, people who are thinking about becoming plasma donors sometimes don’t realize the true value of their donations. He says, “It’s important to communicate the complexities of this process and highlight how their donations play a crucial role in saving lives.” 

Before your first visit, also check out the What to Expect overview on our website. It walks you through the process in three easy steps.

Your plasma donations are used to create more than 20 medicines that help save lives! Our staff take this to heart and know first-hand that their work brings hope to those who rely on these medicines. 

How’s it feel knowing that your work contributes to saving lives? Have you ever met a plasma recipient or heard a story that stuck with you? 

Christina has a friend with an illness called hereditary angioedema (HAE). “HAE attacks typically cause painful swelling, which can be functionally disabling.” Thanks to plasma donors, her friend is able to receive treatments made from plasma. 

Dylan also knows a plasma recipient. “I actually have a friend who was in a really bad accident and required plasma during his healing process. I am happy knowing my hard work helps people like my friend every day,” he says.

We hope this behind-the-scenes look at the work of our center leadership has helped you see how they support the donor experience. Together, our staff and donors like you are helping save lives one plasma donation at a time. Be sure to say hi to these amazing team members when you visit your local center!