- Myth: I can’t donate if I have tattoos.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I got a piercing recently.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I’ve just been to the dentist.
- Myth: Blood can be manufactured.
- Myth: Blood donation is painful.
- Myth: Blood is only needed in times of emergency.
- Myth: Donating blood causes my body to start over producing blood cells.
- Myth: Donating blood makes you gain weight.
- Myth: Donating blood takes a long time.
- Myth: Donating blood will impact my ability to do my daily activities.
- Myth: Giving blood will harm me by taking away red cells or platelets that my body needs to function.
- Myth: I can catch an infectious disease by donating blood.
- Myth: I have a common blood type, so you don’t need my blood.
- Myth: Donating blood can harm my immune system.
- Myth: Other people are already giving enough blood.
- Myth: Vegetarians or vegans cannot donate blood.
- Myth: I cannot donate blood because I have diabetes.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I’ve had low hemoglobin (iron) levels in the past.
- Myth: I must make an appointment to donate blood.
- Myth: I should fast before I donate.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood when I’m on my menstrual cycle.
- Myth: Sometimes, needles and other materials are reused.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood because phlebotomists won’t be able to find my veins.
- Who can give blood?
- Where does my blood go?
- Which patients use what blood components?
- What types of photo ID are accepted?
- What tests are performed on blood?
- What is vCJD?
- What happens when somebody tests positive for an infectious disease marker?
- What can I eat to raise my hemoglobin levels?
- Is it safe to receive blood transfusions?
- I don’t have sickle cell anemia, but I carry the trait. Can I still give blood?
- How will I feel after I give blood?
- How often can I give blood?
- How much blood is taken?
- How long does it take?
- Can I give blood for myself?
- When was Carter BloodCare founded?
- Can people with high blood pressure donate blood?
- Can people who have tested positive for HIV or AIDS donate blood?
- Can gay or bi-sexual men donate blood?
- What is Apheresis?
- How long can blood be stored?
Plasma Donation
What is plasma?
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that carries nutrients, hormones and proteins to other parts of the body.
What is convalescent plasma?
Convalescent plasma is blood that contains antibodies from an illness.
Is it safe to donate plasma?
Donating plasma is safe for healthy adults.
Who is eligible to donate plasma?
The eligibility requirements for donating plasma by automation (apheresis) are the same as those for whole blood in most cases. In addition to being in good health, donors must be 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 lbs., and feel well the day of their donation. Sixteen-year-olds must have a signed parental consent form.
Females who have been pregnant will need to be screened for the possible presence of HLA antibodies at least once prior to donation of apheresis plasma. HLA antibodies may form in a woman following her exposure to the white blood cells of her unborn child during pregnancy and can cause serious reactions in a transfusion recipient.
How long does it take?
A plasma donation only takes 30 to 40 minutes.
How often can you donate plasma?
Plasma can be donated every 4 weeks or more.
Who needs plasma?
It is transfused to replace clotting factors in trauma patients and other large volume transfusions, liver disease and burn victims.
What are plasma donations used for?
Plasma donations by apheresis are used to collect the most commonly transfused plasma types, such as group A and AB.
How do I make an appointment to donate?
Plasma donations are currently offered at all Carter BloodCare locations. Schedule your donation appointment by calling (817) 412-5830. Our team members are waiting to assist you.
How much will I be compensated for my plasma?
We rely on the generosity of our donors to supply local hospitals with critical, lifesaving blood products.