Woman checking in at CSL Plasma Woman checking in at CSL Plasma

Plasma Donation
Frequently Asked Questions

Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, all of which are suspended in plasma. Plasma is a clear-yellow liquid that suspends blood cells and helps transport antibodies, nutrients and waste through the body. Plasma is the cell free part of blood composed of water, proteins, electrolytes, lipids (fat) and carbohydrates. It makes up the majority of our blood and is approximately 92% water. Some of the proteins like albumin, gamma globulin, and anti-hemophilic factor (a protein that helps blood clot) are important for medical therapies.

Plasma is an important element that performs a variety of functions. The biggest task of plasma is to serve as a transport system for our bodies. It carries proteins, nutrients, hormones, waste products and drugs and other elements throughout our bodies and is also critical to maintaining the fluidity of blood. Not only does plasma help clot blood when there has been a cut, but it also works to fight disease as well as carry electrolytes to our muscles. Plasma even helps our bodies maintain the correct pH balance — avoiding too much or too little acidity — which is important for all of our cells to function. Plasma is also important because cells put their waste into the plasma. The plasma then moves that waste through the body to get rid of it.

Plasma is important to donate because it is a valuable part of treatment for a variety of health problems. The proteins, antibodies, clotting factors, and other nutrients in plasma make it useful in treating those suffering from trauma, shock, burns, and other emergencies. Plasma is used to treat rare and inherited chronic conditions, such as immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders and hemophilia (the inability of blood to clot), among others. Often the therapies replace important proteins the patient lacks.

Plasma is in our bodies at birth and is replenished from the protein, water and salts we consume through our diets. They are absorbed through our digestive tracts. Fluids, proteins and other substances in the cells in our body can pass into the plasma to be transported to other parts of the body and maintain the essential fluidity and volume of plasma in our blood vessels.

When you donate plasma, it takes your body about 48 hours to replenish the volume you donated. When you rehydrate after you donate, you help speed up the process.  

In the healthcare community, plasma is sometimes considered “Liquid Gold” for all of the benefits it provides.

Plasma is a component of blood. Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, all of which are suspended in plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood and makes up about 55% of it. Plasma is typically a clear, yellowish color, though the color may vary between samples. For instance, blood plasma may appear more red, orange, or green depending on the donor. Reddish-orange plasma is often seen in smokers and greenish plasma may be more apparent for those who are pregnant, on certain birth-control medication, have rheumatoid arthritis, or are on other medications.

The most common type of blood donation is called a whole blood donation. When you make a whole blood donation, you typically donate roughly one pint of blood. It can then be transfused in its original form or separated into its components, including plasma and red blood cells. Eligible donors age 19 and older can donate whole blood every 56 days.

When you donate plasma, blood is drawn from the arm and sent through a machine that automatically separates the plasma from the other blood components through a process called plasmapheresis. Then, the rest of your blood is returned back to you.

Plasma serves several important functions:

  • Maintains blood pressure and volume
  • Supplies proteins for blood clotting
  • Carries electrolytes throughout the body to muscles
  • Supports cell function by maintaining proper pH balance

When you donate plasma, it is a valuable resource to treat a variety of health problems. It is often used in treatments to save those suffering from medical emergencies including burns, shock, and trauma. Because plasma can increase blood volume and helps aid clotting, it is also provided to those with severe liver disease or clotting deficiencies. Plasma is also used by pharmaceutical companies as a component in certain medications.

To find out if there is a CSL Plasma near you or if there is a new center coming soon in your area, please click here. Most CSL Plasma locations are open Monday through Sunday in order to better serve you. Please contact your local CSL Plasma center to find out more information.

Marketing radius:

The marketing radius is determined by each center location. To find out if you live in a center’s marketing radius, please contact your local CSL Plasma center. 

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations state that the maximum frequency you can donate plasma is once in a two-day period – and, no more than twice in a seven-day period.

  • Limit the amount of salt in your diet.
  • Choose a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, poultry, legumes and fish. 
  • Avoid alcohol in the 24 hours prior to your donation.
  • Avoid tobacco products 1-2 hours before your donation. 
  • Smoking cessation and limitation of alcohol could improve your blood pressure in the long term and thus impact your donations positively. 
  • Exercise regularly and get adequate sleep. 
  • Take your blood pressure medications as prescribed by your health care provider. You may need to see your health care provider for evaluation. 

  • The most likely cause of low hematocrit is low iron.
  • Increase your intake of iron rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, soybeans, leafy green vegetables, dried nuts, iron enriched grains and dried fruits.
  • Also increase your intake of Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries and bell peppers, as Vitamin C rich foods enhance iron absorption.
  • Other conditions may lead to a decrease in hematocrit instead of low iron. You may need to see your health care provider for evaluation. 

Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, all of which are suspended in plasma. Plasma is a clear-yellow liquid that suspends blood cells and helps transport antibodies, nutrients and waste through the body. Plasma is the cell free part of blood composed of water, proteins, electrolytes, lipids (fat) and carbohydrates. It makes up the majority of our blood and is approximately 92% water. Some of the proteins like albumin, gamma globulin, and anti-hemophilic factor (a protein that helps blood clot) are important for medical therapies.

Plasma is an important element that performs a variety of functions. The biggest task of plasma is to serve as a transport system for our bodies. It carries proteins, nutrients, hormones, waste products and drugs and other elements throughout our bodies and is also critical to maintaining the fluidity of blood. Not only does plasma help clot blood when there has been a cut, but it also works to fight disease as well as carry electrolytes to our muscles. Plasma even helps our bodies maintain the correct pH balance — avoiding too much or too little acidity — which is important for all of our cells to function. Plasma is also important because cells put their waste into the plasma. The plasma then moves that waste through the body to get rid of it.

Plasma is important to donate because it is a valuable part of treatment for a variety of health problems. The proteins, antibodies, clotting factors, and other nutrients in plasma make it useful in treating those suffering from trauma, shock, burns, and other emergencies. Plasma is used to treat rare and inherited chronic conditions, such as immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders and hemophilia (the inability of blood to clot), among others. Often the therapies replace important proteins the patient lacks.

Plasma is in our bodies at birth and is replenished from the protein, water and salts we consume through our diets. They are absorbed through our digestive tracts. Fluids, proteins and other substances in the cells in our body can pass into the plasma to be transported to other parts of the body and maintain the essential fluidity and volume of plasma in our blood vessels.

When you donate plasma, it takes your body about 48 hours to replenish the volume you donated. When you rehydrate after you donate, you help speed up the process.  

In the healthcare community, plasma is sometimes considered “Liquid Gold” for all of the benefits it provides.

Plasma is a component of blood. Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, all of which are suspended in plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood and makes up about 55% of it. Plasma is typically a clear, yellowish color, though the color may vary between samples. For instance, blood plasma may appear more red, orange, or green depending on the donor. Reddish-orange plasma is often seen in smokers and greenish plasma may be more apparent for those who are pregnant, on certain birth-control medication, have rheumatoid arthritis, or are on other medications.

The most common type of blood donation is called a whole blood donation. When you make a whole blood donation, you typically donate roughly one pint of blood. It can then be transfused in its original form or separated into its components, including plasma and red blood cells. Eligible donors age 19 and older can donate whole blood every 56 days.

When you donate plasma, blood is drawn from the arm and sent through a machine that automatically separates the plasma from the other blood components through a process called plasmapheresis. Then, the rest of your blood is returned back to you.

Plasma serves several important functions:

  • Maintains blood pressure and volume
  • Supplies proteins for blood clotting
  • Carries electrolytes throughout the body to muscles
  • Supports cell function by maintaining proper pH balance

When you donate plasma, it is a valuable resource to treat a variety of health problems. It is often used in treatments to save those suffering from medical emergencies including burns, shock, and trauma. Because plasma can increase blood volume and helps aid clotting, it is also provided to those with severe liver disease or clotting deficiencies. Plasma is also used by pharmaceutical companies as a component in certain medications.

To find out if there is a CSL Plasma near you or if there is a new center coming soon in your area, please click here. Most CSL Plasma locations are open Monday through Sunday in order to better serve you. Please contact your local CSL Plasma center to find out more information.

Marketing radius:

The marketing radius is determined by each center location. To find out if you live in a center’s marketing radius, please contact your local CSL Plasma center. 

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations state that the maximum frequency you can donate plasma is once in a two-day period – and, no more than twice in a seven-day period.

  • Limit the amount of salt in your diet.
  • Choose a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, poultry, legumes and fish. 
  • Avoid alcohol in the 24 hours prior to your donation.
  • Avoid tobacco products 1-2 hours before your donation. 
  • Smoking cessation and limitation of alcohol could improve your blood pressure in the long term and thus impact your donations positively. 
  • Exercise regularly and get adequate sleep. 
  • Take your blood pressure medications as prescribed by your health care provider. You may need to see your health care provider for evaluation. 

  • The most likely cause of low hematocrit is low iron.
  • Increase your intake of iron rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, soybeans, leafy green vegetables, dried nuts, iron enriched grains and dried fruits.
  • Also increase your intake of Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries and bell peppers, as Vitamin C rich foods enhance iron absorption.
  • Other conditions may lead to a decrease in hematocrit instead of low iron. You may need to see your health care provider for evaluation. 

Still have a question that we have not answered above? Check out our FAQs Page or contact your local donation center.