December 31, 2022

Giving plasma is the ultimate way to get into the holiday spirit. Charitable giving has been proven to boost your mood and health. When you donate plasma, you provide patients with the life-sustaining treatments that they need to live healthy lives. This holiday season, give back to those who need it most by adding plasma donation to your New Year’s resolutions. And why not get ahead of your 2023 goals over the holidays? Book an appointment today and get started on your New Year’s resolutions!

For the top reasons to give plasma this holiday season, keep reading!

1. Giving back is good for you. 

Giving back to others helps to lower your blood pressure and stress levels, which are core components of health and wellness! Easing your stress is extra important this time of year, with the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Donating plasma will not only support your wellbeing, but it will provide immunocompromised patients with the treatments that they need year round. To read more about how giving back is good for you, check out this blog!

2. Donating plasma gives you some Me-Time

The time that you spend connected to the plasmapheresis machine during your plasma donation is quality time with yourself to relax and reset. With the busy nature of the holiday season, we could all use a break to read a book or watch a show – why not give back to others while you pamper yourself? 

3. It’s a great way to make some extra cash 

Looking to earn a little extra for presents, holiday dinners and Christmas treats this time of year? You can earn up to $500 a month as a plasma donor when you make your first donation this month with our $100 bonus. As a consistent donor, you can earn up to $400 a month when you donate twice every seven days for four consecutive weeks. To learn more about how our compensation plan works, visit our compensation page on our website.

4. You can become a part of a greater community.

Our DB Plasma community is spread out across Canada – wherever you donate plasma, you can connect with the staff and other donors at your local centre to join our plasma donation community! 

5. It’s an easy way to get a head start on your New Year’s resolutions.

If your New Year’s resolutions include helping others for the greater good, while supporting yourself and your family with some extra cash flow, donating plasma is a great way for you to meet your goals in 2023! It’s said that it takes 2 months to form a new habit, so why not get a head start on your habit-forming resolutions this month. That way, you’ll be good to go in the New Year!

Thank you as always for being a part of our Canadian Plasma donation community! We hope that you have a safe and happy holiday season. For more information on plasma donation, check out our blog! Book your plasma donation appointment today.

December 31, 2022

Did you know that there are different types of plasma proteins? There’s globulin – which helps to support your immune system and blood clotting – and albumin, which provides amino acids to your body tissue. These two types of proteins – and their collection processes- are different. 

Source plasma is collected from donors to be turned into plasma protein therapies for immunocompromised patients and trauma victims. There is no replacement for source plasma – it can’t be manufactured in a lab and the only way for those in need to receive the plasma-protein therapies they require is for donors to donate plasma consistently. To learn more about how plasma is used to help others, keep reading! 

1. Plasma is used to treat immunocompromised patients. 

Plasma is extracted through a process known as plasmapheresis, in which the donor is connected to a plasmapheresis machine intravenously. The plasmapheresis machine withdraws all blood components, separating plasma from other blood cells and returning those cells to the body. The entire process takes 45-50 minutes to complete. You can read more about it here! Plasmapheresis separates the protein-rich plasma from the rest of the blood so it can be manufactured into live-saving therapies. 

2. It’s used to treat rare and chronic diseases. 

Plasma is used to treat over 80 different rare and chronic diseases. Patients who rely on plasma treatments often require those treatments for life, meaning that consistent donation is key to helping patients in need receive the treatments they require. It can take up to 1,200 donations to treat one patient for a year! That’s why it’s crucial to donate plasma consistently.

3. Plasma is used to treat trauma victims. 

Plasma is used to heal tissue with platalet-rich plasma therapy, otherwise known as PRP therapy. This is the most common treatment method for healing tissue with plasma due to injuries from everyday accidents.

Platelet—rich therapy involves injecting concentration of the patient’s platelets into the injured areas. These platelets aid in the body’s natural healing process. Growth factors stimulate the reparative cells produced by your body, helping it to heal.

Whether you’re looking to give back to others or make some extra cash (or both!) this holiday season, donating plasma is an effective way to do good for others while helping yourself. 

We’d like to extend a special shout out to our consistent donors in our plasma donation community. Your continued generosity is what makes the work that we do possible – helping patients in need to receive the treatments and care that they deserve! We look forward to seeing you come through our centre doors soon.

November 29, 2022

When you give back to others, you give back to yourself. Giving back to others has been proven to benefit your own mental health and well-being, and donating plasma is a perfect way to give back. 

The donating portion of the plasma donation process takes approximately 50 minutes, making it the perfect opportunity to get some me-time. With the busy holiday season, consider taking the time to give plasma to someone in need – while also taking care of yourself! 

Read on for more information on how giving plasma can be good for you! 

Why Give Back? 

Giving back comes with numerous health benefits. Some of the physical health benefits include: 

• Lowering your blood pressure
• Increasing your self esteem 
• Helping to mitigate symptoms of depression
• Decreasing problems with cognition
• Lowering your stress levels 
• Increasing your sense of happiness and well-being 

If you’re wondering why – and how – plasma donation, in particular, can boost your sense of happiness and well-being, we’re here to tell you! Participating in an altruistic act like donating plasma activates the pleasure regions in your brain, creating a “warm glow” feeling that is fueled by the release of serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. 

Donating Plasma and Giving Back 

An unexpected perk of donating plasma is that it can serve as an early preventative check for diseases! Because of the rigorous screening process that our donors go through, when you give back you actually take care of yourself by getting your vitals checked and assessed by our team of trained professionals. This can serve as early disease detection! 

Give Back this Holiday Season

If you’re looking for ways to give back this holiday season, book a plasma donation appointment today! You can safely donate plasma twice in a seven day period and earn up to $95/week for doing so. With the extra expenses of the holidays, donating plasma can be a great way to earn some extra cash during the season of giving. 

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! 

October 27, 2022

The history of plasma donation dates back over 100 years. Used to treat measles, Spanish influenza, and other diseases in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the medicinal uses for plasma have evolved in the 21st century. 

Keep reading to learn more about the history of plasma donation! 

The Historical Uses of Plasma

1. Early Uses: Late 1800s & Early 1900s

In the late 19th and early 20th century, convalescent blood was used as a therapy treatment for the measles, Spanish influenza and other diseases. In 1890, German scientist Emil Von Behring exposed horses to diphtheria-inducing bacteria. This broke the ground for serum therapy, the original iteration of convalescent plasma therapy using whole blood transfusions, before scientists figured out how to separate plasma from blood. 

Prior to a measles epidemic in the early 1900s, serum therapy was used to prevent, rather than treat, diseases. 

2. Post Influenza Pandemic 

Serum therapy became more popular after the Spanish influenza in 1918, as scientists claimed that it lowered your chances of dying from the flu or pneumonia. In the 1920s and 1930s, “serum depots” started popping up in cities and towns. 

Operating like milk depots, which ensured a healthy and steady supply of milk was available to the surrounding community, serum depots ran like blood banks, collecting blood from disease survivors to distribute to the local public. Serum depots were utilised to treat meningitis, the plague, scarlet fever, and other diseases. 

Convalescent blood was also used as a vaccine measure before vaccines became commonplace! 

3. The Breakthrough: Separating Plasma from Whole Blood 

When biochemist Edwin Cohn figured out how to split up the various components contained in blood, he consequently figured out how to separate plasma from whole blood. Because plasma is more shelf-stable than whole blood, it was shipped out during World War II and used to treat wounded soldiers, providing them with life-saving transfusions. 

4. Post War Medical Advancements 

After the war, the production of penicillin, antiviral medications, and antibiotics ensured that plasma wasn’t relied on as the sole treatment of life-threatening diseases. But there was still, and always will be, a dire need for plasma. The pharmaceutical industry began to conduct research into how plasma can be used to manufacture medications to treat a variety of diseases and ailments, such as hemophilia. 

Just like today, consistent donations from hundreds of donors was required to manufacture the treatments needed for one patient. 

How is Plasma Used Today? 

Today, plasma is used to help patients living with immune disorders, autoimmune conditions, and blood disorders receive the treatments they need. Donated plasma undergoes an extensive manufacturing process and is turned into therapies that replace missing or deficient proteins in these patients, making it possible for them to live healthier lives. 

Why Donate Plasma? 

Donating plasma is a great way to give back and earn extra money while doing so. At DB Plasma, 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 make a difference in someone else’s life and get compensated for your contributions! 

October 19, 2022

Plasma is used to treat various disorders, conditions, and injuries – from bleeding caused by trauma to autoimmune disorders. Plasma is also used to treat bleeding disorders, like hemophilia. 

In this blog, we break down exactly how plasma is used to treat bleeding disorders. Keep reading to learn more! 

What Bleeding Disorders Does Plasma Treat?

Plasma is used to treat multiple bleeding disorders, including: 

• Hemophilia A, a genetic disorder that is caused by a lack of blood clotting factor VIII. 
• Hemophilia B, a hereditary disorder that is caused by a lack of blood clotting factor IX. 
• Von Willebrand disease, the most common genetic blood clotting disorder. 

All of these conditions prevent blood from clotting properly to control bleeding. 

How Does Plasma Treat Bleeding Disorders? 

Blood plasma supports immune function, blood clotting, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, and blood volume. It contains important proteins that help to stop a person from excessively bleeding by aiding in the clotting process via a process known as coagulation. Plasma also helps with blood pressure and volume thanks to a key protein called albumin, which helps to maintain healthy blood pressure by preventing fluid from leaking into other areas of the body. 

For someone with hemophilia A or B, in which someone’s blood doesn’t clot properly, seemingly insignificant cuts and scrapes can be life threatening without coagulation therapy, which is made from donated plasma. 

Individuals with Von Willebrand disease also require plasma for their treatments. 

How You Can Help 

Evidently, source plasma plays an important part in treating patients with bleeding disorders. It is also used to treat over 80 immune conditions and autoimmune diseases. 

Patients who require plasma-protein therapies need donors like you to show up consistently and donate quality plasma! At DB Plasma, you also get the unique opportunity to earn up to $400/month. Book a plasma donation appointment at a centre near you to help others while also supplementing your income. 

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 DB Plasma, 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 DB Plasma, 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 DB Plasma, 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. 

August 16, 2022

Myths about plasma donation can make it seem much more daunting than it actually is. In this blog, we’re going to be breaking down the top myths that could keep potential donors from making it to their local centre. We’re also going to unveil the truths that highlight why plasma donation is so important.

Keep reading to learn more about what you can actually expect to happen as a plasma donor!

What Are the Top Myths About Plasma Donation? 

1. Paid plasma donation is a new trend, and it’s unnecessary – we can get by on volunteer donations. 

The Truth: The demand for IVIg, an essential plasma-derived treatment used to treat immunocompromised patients, has increased by 6-8% each year over the past ten years. IVIg is used to treat a variety of diseases and disorders.

Canada is in the top three highest per capita users of IVIg in the world. And it’s not just Canada. The majority of developed countries rely on paid plasma donations to attempt to meet their needs.

Also, some Winnipeg donors have been paid for their plasma donations for over 30 years in Canada – so it’s certainly not a new practice. 

2. Paid donations are more dangerous than donations made by volunteers.

The Truth: Canadian patients and donors have access to some of the safest plasma products in the world.

Our strict protocols, from donation to production, ensure that our supplies of plasma are healthy and safe. Thanks to modern technology and adherence to guidelines and protocols, Canada hasn’t had a single case of transmission of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV through plasma products for over 30 years. 

3. Paid plasma donations target low-income people.

The Truth: Regardless of your socioeconomic status, the eligibility requirements for plasma donation remain the same. In order to donate plasma, you have to meet the following requirements: 

• Be between 17 and 68 years. of age.
• Weigh between 50 kg to 180 kg.
• Have a permanent address within 100 kilometres of a DB Plasma facility.
• Present valid photo identification, proof of address, social insurance card.
• Qualify to donate. This involves a process that includes a questionnaire, an interview, a medical examination and testing on two separate occasions within a 26-week period.
• Have not had a tattoo or piercing done in the past 6 months.
• Have not donated blood in the past 56 days.

Why Are Myths About Plasma Donation So Harmful?

Misconceptions about plasma donations can prevent people from giving plasma. This can ultimately contribute to plasma shortages. 

Canadian patients require 1.2 million litres of plasma for life-sustaining treatments – and we don’t collect nearly enough plasma to meet those needs. 

What Can You Do to Help Dispel These Myths? 

Donating plasma consistently saves lives and is the only way to provide those who require plasma protein therapies with the treatments they need to survive. You can help to correct these common misconceptions and break the stigma by booking a plasma donation appointment today and sharing your experience with your friends, family, and online community. We hope to see you at one of our centres in the near future!