I donated plasma for the first time today, having previously been ineligible due to being under the height/weight restrictions. This means more smaller people can donate.
I visited a brand new plasma centre, and the healthcare assistants explained all the bits of the plasmapheresis machine.
I found it more comfortable than blood donation because you get a toasty electric heat mat for under your arm, and you only need to do small finger exercises, no squeezing.
I got a cute little pin badge to go with my whole blood badges, and the choice of snacks was elite.
I’m posting not for internet points, but to let people know that if you always wanted to donate plasma, you’re near a centre, but were ineligible due to height/weight, do have a look on the [website](https://www.blood.co.uk/plasma/who-can-donate-plasma/). I didn’t know until last week.
I didn’t get a photo of my final donation, but [here’s ](https://i.imgur.com/7O0qoBi.jpg) a photo of my blood in the plasmapheresis machine that I found interesting.
by sim1985
4 comments
This is good to know! I’m AB- and dondate blood. Asked about donating plasma previously but was turned away as my BMI was too low and told my veins weren’t big enough.
Good on you. I’m 5’2″ and weigh just under 8 stone so expect they’d flick me away.
It’s good learning things and being helpful.
Well done OP, I’ve always wanted to have a go at plasma donation but I live up north so no donation centres nearby although seeing the size of the plasmapheresis machine i can see why centres are so limited.
The last blood donation centre session I went to did double check that they could use our blood for plasma instead of using it as a whole donation if needed, so hopefully that’s improving stocks.
So gutted I can’t donate here in France because I lived in the UK between 1983 and 1986…