November 17, 2022

How to Best Support Your Plasma Donation Recovery Process

As a plasma donor, it’s important to take care of yourself before and after your donation, to ensure a smooth donation and recovery process. In this blog, we’re outlining the things you can do to optimize your plasma donation experience. 

If you’d like to learn about how to support your plasma donation recovery, keep reading!

How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful Plasma Donation

There are a few key things that you can do to properly prepare yourself for your plasma donation and give your body what it needs to recover later. 

Firstly, it’s essential to make sure that you’re getting the nutrients you need to boost the health of your supply of plasma and to support your own recovery process. Make sure to eat plenty of iron and vitamin rich foods, like dark leafy greens and fish, prior to your appointment. 

It’s also important to drink 6-8 glasses of water a few hours prior to donating. Not only will this help you recover afterwards, but it will also boost your plasma supply and prevent you from being deferred. 

In addition, you’ll want to avoid caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, and smoking before donating plasma. Caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate you, fatty foods can render your plasma unusable, and smoking can restrict your blood flow. 

What to Do After Your Plasma Donation

Supporting your post-appointment recovery is also an essential component of the plasma donation process, as it’s necessary to maintain your health. 

As soon as you wrap up your appointment, we recommend resting for at least 10 minutes. During this time, it’s important for you to replenish your body with a quick snack and drink. You can get a snack and juice from our reception staff and enjoy your refreshments in our waiting room area following your appointment. 

Once you get home after donating plasma, it’s recommended that you drink plenty of water. It’s also crucial that you do not smoke for at least one hour, refrain from drinking alcohol for at least eight hours following your donation, and avoid vigorous exercise for 12 hours. 

Why Donate Plasma? 

Plasma donations provide those who require plasma protein therapies with the treatments they need to survive and live their lives to the fullest. By booking a plasma donation appointment today, you can save a life – and earn up to $400 a month! 

September 23, 2022

Even though plasma is the largest component of blood, there are many differences between whole blood donation and plasma donation. One of the biggest differences is the time that you need to recover between donations in order for your supply to regenerate so you can safely donate again. 

In this blog, we’re breaking down how long it takes for your plasma to regenerate and the impact that has on how frequently you can donate as well as the amount of compensation you receive!

What Is the Process for Donating Plasma?

Plasma donation is a four-step process that involves registering, screening, donating, and relaxing. During the donating portion of this process, plasma is collected from your blood via plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is an intravenous process that extracts plasma from whole blood and returns other blood components back into your body. 

It takes approximately 50 minutes to collect a sufficient amount of plasma, during which time we encourage you to relax, kick back, read a book, and take some time for you! 

How Long Does it Take for Plasma to Regenerate?

While whole blood donation can only be performed once every 56 days for males and once every 84 days for females, plasma donors can donate plasma twice in a seven day period. Plasma donors can donate more frequently than blood donors because blood plasma takes anywhere from 24-48 hours to regenerate. 

The plasmapheresis process also makes it possible for plasma donors to donate twice per week since other blood components are returned to the body. With that said, it’s important to make sure that there is at least one day in between donations in order to give your body adequate time to heal and recover from the donation process. 

It’s crucial to keep in mind the difference between donating twice in a seven-day period versus the calendar week, because this impacts your donation schedule for the month. Rather than having two back to back days a week that you donate, you need to set aside time to recover and allow flexibility to time your donations accordingly. 

Why Donate Plasma? 

One of the most rewarding reasons to donate plasma is that you are actively helping others. By donating plasma, you are providing patients who live with chronic illnesses and autoimmune conditions the therapies that they need to live healthier, more productive lives. Plasma is used to treat a variety of autoimmune conditions, immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders and other diseases, as well as shock and trauma. Plasma cannot be replicated in a lab, meaning that immunocompromised patients rely on donors to supply plasma for life-sustaining plasma-protein therapies. 

Also, donating plasma is a great way to make some extra money! When you donate plasma at Canadian Plasma Resources, you can earn up to $95/week by consistently donating twice in a seven-day period. And as we said before, donating can be a surprisingly relaxing time to slow down, rest, and take part in relaxing activities you enjoy. Book your plasma donation appointment today to give back to others (and yourself)!

September 23, 2022

Did you know that over 90% of blood plasma is water? The fact that plasma is largely made up of water is one of the reasons why it’s so important to focus on the beverages you consume prior to your appointment. In order to have a healthy plasma supply, you must be properly hydrated!

Read on to find out which liquids you should drink – and the ones you should steer clear of – before you donate plasma!

What Should You Drink To Improve Your Plasma Supply? 

1. Drink Water

Making sure that you’re adequately hydrated before your plasma donation appointment will boost your plasma supply and ensure a smooth recovery. It is also one of the best ways to prevent being deferred! Because plasma is 90% water, it’s important that you drink 6-8 glasses of water on the day of your appointment – ideally a few hours prior to donating.

2. Drink Citrus-Infused Beverages

Before your appointment (and after), it’s important that you feel your best so you can make a healthy donation and recover well post-donation. Making sure that your vitamin C intake meets your body’s requirements is important for your overall health. Plus, vitamin C helps with iron absorption, and in order to donate plasma you must have iron levels within a certain range. 

Try adding some citrus, like lemon juice, to your water to stay healthy and hydrated! 

What Drinks Should You Avoid Before Donating Plasma? 

1. Don’t Drink Caffeinated Beverages

It’s crucial that you avoid caffeine before donating plasma because it’s a diuretic that can dehydrate you and impact your pulse. Instead, try caffeine-free tea or coffee if you’re craving a warm, comforting beverage on the morning of your plasma donation appointment. 

2. Don’t Drink Alcohol

You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment. Just like caffeine, alcohol is a substance that can dehydrate you and ultimately impact your plasma supply. Also, drinking wine can impact your iron levels and cause the iron levels in your plasma to fluctuate. 

What Is Plasma Used For? 

Now that you know what to drink (and what drinks to avoid) before your plasma donation appointment, you might be curious about why donating plasma is so important in the first place. Plasma is used to treat over 80 immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases. It is also used in emergency situations where transfusions are required, such as car accidents. 

Plasma not only does good for others, it’s beneficial to you, too. If you donate at Canadian Plasma Resources, you can earn up to $400 a month for your plasma donations. Paid plasma donations help ensure a secure supply of plasma for patients in need, and we are proud to fairly compensate our donors! Book an appointment at a centre near you today.

August 23, 2022

Whether you’re a new or returning plasma donor, or someone who is curious about giving plasma, you probably have some questions about the donation process. In this blog, we’re breaking down the do’s and don’ts of plasma donation so that you feel comfortable, prepared, and confident about donating. 

Things You Should Do Before Donating Plasma

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Aim to drink 6-8 cups of water prior to your appointment. Making sure that you’re adequately hydrated will help to ensure that your donation is accepted – when you’re hydrated, your veins are full and plasma is able to be easily separated. 

2. Eat a Nourishing Meal

One of the reasons that your donation could be deferred is due to low iron and protein levels. It’s in your best interest to eat an iron and protein-rich meal within four hours of your donation. An example of a meal that would meet your iron and protein needs would be a piece of cooked chicken or fish with a side of broccoli or leafy greens. 

3. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

To maximize your donation and ensure a smooth recovery, make sure that you are well rested prior to your appointment. Ideally, you should get eight hours of quality sleep. 

Things to Avoid Before Donating Plasma

Before donating plasma, there are a few foods, drinks, and activities that you should try to steer clear of. We’ve listed the key things to avoid below! 

1. Avoid Drinking Caffeine and Alcohol

It’s crucial that you don’t drink caffeine on the day of your appointment – from coffee, tea, matcha, an energy drink, or any other source. Caffeine can constrict your blood vessels, which can make it difficult to access a vein and return the non-plasma components of blood back into your body during the donation process.

Another beverage you should avoid is alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, and it can dehydrate you. It’s recommended that you avoid alcohol for 24 hours before you donate plasma, to help your body stay hydrated and healthy.  

2. Avoid Smoking

You shouldn’t smoke tobacco or cannabis at least eight hours prior to your appointment. Smoking tobacco increases your blood pressure, and if you smoke cannabis you will be deferred for at least a day. 

3. Avoid Fatty Foods

Eating fatty foods prior to your appointment can make your plasma cloudy and impact your blood test during the screening process, which could lead to you being deferred from donation. Avoid eating fatty foods, like pizza, chips, or french fries, on the day of your appointment. 

Why Donate Plasma? 

There is no replacement for source plasma – it can’t be manufactured in a lab, and it’s used to treat over 80 immune conditions and autoimmune diseases. Patients who require plasma-protein therapies rely on donors like you to show up consistently and donate quality plasma! 

At Canadian Plasma Resources, you can earn up to $400/month by consistently donating plasma twice per week. Book a plasma donation appointment at a centre near you to help others while also supplementing your income. 

July 26, 2022

Donating plasma is the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma is available for patients who need plasma-derived therapies. Patients who rely on these treatments oftentimes need them for the rest of their lives, so consistent donations are crucial. 

Not only is it important to donate plasma on a regular basis, but it’s important to also consider the quality of your plasma prior to donation. Below, we’ve outlined key things that you should avoid prior to donating plasma to boost the quality of your plasma and prevent being deferred. 

What Is Healthy Plasma?

Donated plasma must first meet certain standards in order for it to be used to create life-saving therapies. Ideally, plasma should be yellow in colour and translucent. 

Some reasons why plasma may be rejected include for being lipemic (when there are excess fats and lipids in the blood) or because the collected amount fails to meet a certain volume. 

How to Donate Healthy Plasma

As a plasma donor, there are certain things you can do to help ensure you donate healthy plasma and don’t get deferred. Here are 3 things you should avoid doing before giving plasma.

1. Avoid Fatty Foods

To make sure that your plasma isn’t lipemic, and therefore unusable, steer clear of fatty foods before donating plasma. Avoiding greasy foods, like pizza, fries, or sweets, will help you to feel your best and produce the highest quality plasma. These foods should not be eaten at least six hours prior to your plasma donation appointment. 

Protein and iron-rich foods, on the other hand, will help you maintain your hemoglobin levels and feel your best during your plasma donation.

2. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol are substances that can dehydrate your body. Being dehydrated can cause your plasma supply to dwindle. As such, you should avoid consuming caffeinated beverages and alcohol for a minimum of six hours before a donation and try to hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water instead!

3. Avoid Smoking 

Last but certainly not least, you should refrain from smoking for at least eight hours prior to your appointment. Smoking causes your veins to constrict, which reduces blood flow and makes it much harder for phlebotomists to find a vein during the plasma donation process. It may also cause you to feel lightheaded after making your plasma donation. 

There you have it – all the things you should avoid doing before donating plasma to ensure your plasma is ultimately used to help patients in need. Up to 1,200 plasma donations are needed to treat just one patient with a rare disease for a year, so every donation counts. Book a plasma donation appointment today to change someone else’s life for the better and earn up to $400/month for doing so!

June 20, 2022

Now that it’s officially summer, staying hydrated is something that should be top of mind! For plasma donors, staying hydrated is especially important. Drinking water affects how your plasma is separated and the fullness of your veins. If you’re dehydrated, you may be deferred from donating plasma or put yourself at risk of not feeling well afterwards. 

Read on to learn more about the signs of dehydration you should look out for when giving plasma. 

Common Signs of Dehydration

Dehydration can occur if you don’t drink enough fluid throughout the day or if you lose more fluid than you take in. Since plasma is roughly 90% water, drinking lots of water is needed to help your body recover post-donation. 

Some signs of dehydration include:

• Dizziness 
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Dry mouth, lips, or eyes
• Less frequent urination or dark coloured urine

How to Stay Hydrated Before Donating Plasma

Health experts recommend drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. If you find it difficult to meet the daily recommended intake of water, the following tips may help with that:

Tip #1: Drink Flavoured Water

If you struggle to drink enough water because it’s not as exciting as, say, juice or soda, consider adding a sugar-free flavouring powder to your water (bonus points if it contains electrolytes). 

Tip #2: Hydrate with Coconut Water

Coconut water is a great source of hydration, as it’s loaded with vitamins like magnesium and potassium. It’s like nature’s sports drink!

Tip #3: Eat Water-Rich Fruits and Vegetables

Watermelon, cantaloupes, tomatoes, and cucumbers are all examples of fruits and vegetables that contain plenty of water. Plus, fruits and vegetables have several vitamins and minerals that are good for your overall health! 

As a plasma donor, you’ll also want to avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol for at least six hours prior to your plasma donation appointment. These substances can dehydrate your body. 

To feel your best after donating and help ensure that your donation is of the highest quality, it’s important to stay properly hydrated before, during, and after giving plasma. Now that you have the knowledge you need to stay hydrated this summer, book a plasma donation appointment today to put the tips in this blog into practice! 

May 26, 2022

Plasma donation is a relatively simple process and a great way to make some extra money. If you’re a new donor, however, there are a few things you should know about before you go in for your first appointment. One of the most important things you need to be aware of is how the food you consume can ultimately affect your plasma donation.

Here’s what you should eat before and after donating plasma to ensure you pass your health screening and have a smooth donation experience! 

What to Eat Before Donating Plasma

A few hours prior to your plasma donation appointment, it’s a good idea to eat an iron and protein-rich meal. Not having adequate iron and/or protein levels is one of the most common reasons donors get deferred, so taking some time to prepare a healthy meal is well worth it! 

Foods that are rich in iron include:

• Grains: Oats, quinoa, spelt, whole wheat products, and iron-fortified products.
• Fruit: Figs, dates, raisins, watermelon, and strawberries.
• Vegetables: Broccoli, string beans, cabbage, potatoes, and dark leafy greens. 

Foods that are rich in protein include:

• Nuts and seeds.
• Fish and shellfish.
• Lean meats and poultry.
• Beans, peas, and lentils.

If you follow a plant-based diet, you may want to also eat vitamin C-rich foods, as this nutrient can help you absorb more non-heme iron. Tomatoes, bell peppers, and citrus fruits are all high in vitamin C. 

What to Not Eat Before Donating Plasma

There are also certain foods you’ll want to avoid eating before donating plasma. Fatty foods, like potato chips, pizza, and French fries, can cause lipemia, which is a phenomenon that occurs when there’s a high concentration of fats in your blood cells. Lipemia makes plasma milky white and cloudy; ultimately rendering your donation unusable. 

What To Eat After Donating Plasma

After donating plasma, it’s important to rest and replenish your body. This means eating a light snack within two hours of your donation and drinking plenty of water. It’s also a good idea to complete your daily protein and iron intake during the meal(s) following your plasma donation. 

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is a must for plasma donors. By making the right food choices, you can reduce your chances of getting deferred, improve the way you feel post-donation, and live an overall healthier life. Book a plasma donation appointment today to put the tips in this blog to good use!