Donating blood plasma is a safe process that has been used for more than one hundred years to help save lives. Thousands of people safely and painlessly donate every day. Blood plasma donation is performed in a highly regulated environment by professionally trained staff using sterile, one-time-use, disposable materials. Facilities follow strict guidelines when collecting plasma to ensure the donor’s safety and comfort.

1. ELIGIBILITY

You must have had COVID-19 documented by a laboratory test, an antibody test, or clinical diagnosis and meet other donor criteria. You must also be symptom free for at least 14 days prior to visiting a donor center.

2. REGISTRATION

You will be asked to show proof of identification and share your contact information when you arrive at the donor center. Some centers may have additional registration requirements. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

3. SCREENING

You must pass a pre-donation screening at every visit, including a brief exam to check your body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse rate. The goal of this screening is to make sure that the donation is safe for both you and the recipients of the final product.

4. DONATION PROCESS

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will move to a donation area where you will rest on a donor bed while connected to an automated machine that will collect your plasma. You will be carefully monitored by staff throughout the donation process. Your donor bed will be socially distanced at least six feet from other donors and/or personal protective equipment will be provided.

5. PLASMA COLLECTION

Blood plasma is collected through an automated process that separates plasma from other blood components, then returns your red blood cells and platelets to you. This process continues until a target amount of plasma has been collected.