With gauze wrapped around the crook of his right arm, John Ramos waited by his truck, smoking a cigarette, in 98-degree weather for his friend to emerge from Grifols Biomet at Lexington and North Main avenues.
He, like many others today, has been trying to make ends meet by tapping into the liquid cash in his bloodstream: plasma. "I got laid off and just needed a little extra money," Ramos said. "It kind of feels weird at first. It doesn't hurt or nothing. It helps when you got nothing else going."
Ramos found out about plasma donations, which earn $35 a visit, from his friends. Helping people in need of plasma makes it even better for him.
"If it was just about them making money - collect cans or something," Ramos said, adding that he hadn't changed his diet for the procedure. "If you have a good diet, I guess it don't matter."
Grifols Biomet, which accepts appointments and walk-ins, was having a slow day, about 2 p.m. on a Wednesday this summer, employee trainer Sylvia De la Rosa said. About 30 people sat in the lobby, waiting for screening. Many will take the place of 30 others already on the donation beds. Several more were in the booths to be screened and in a small waiting room, watching "Armageddon" by "the floor" where the plasma is collected.
Ivan Ubaid got out of the van his wife was driving, hurrying to his appointment. Most donors seemed to have been dropped off.
"I have a bunch of kids," Ubaid said. "Five. I lost my job and this is extra income." Ubaid, originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., has lived in San Antonio for four years. He recommended it to anyone who is drug free.
The 34 employees of Grifols Biomet process 1,100 donors a week on the 30 beds. "Lately, they were doing it for gas money. Normally, they do it for extra cash," de la Rosa said.
At most plasma donation centers, first-time plasma donors can earn $40 for a two-hour visit for a total of $80 the first week. Subsequent donations are $35. It's another way to make some extra cash, and plenty of people are taking advantage of it. Donating plasma is a safe procedure with minimal or no side effects, according to the BioLife Plasma Center Web site.
In addition, it saves lives.
Plasma-derived albumin is used in hospitals and emergency rooms to treat patients who suffer from traumatic injuries such as shock and severe burns. Patients with hemophilia, a lack of natural clotting abilities, and those with immune system deficiency benefit as well.
Plasma can't be produced in a lab, only obtained from healthy adults.
Kathy Sanchez, receptionist for ZLB Plasma Services, said she has seen quite a few college students come in, but most regulars tend to be nonstudents who need gas money, and, for some reason, truckers. The center recently doubled its handling capacity to 66 beds, sometimes attending to more than 200 donors in one day.
The first time, the whole process - a physical exam, health history questions and the plasma donation - takes about two hours. Subsequent visits average an hour and a half, taking 15-20 minutes longer than a whole blood donation, according to the American Red Cross Web site.
Because plasma is quickly replenished by the body, people can donate plasma twice in seven days, with a gap of 48 hours, but no more than 12 times a year. Additional restrictions vary, however, depending on the donation center, type of procedure used and individual donation history.
The BioLife Plasma Center Web site gave these tips for actions before and after donations:
• pump up your protein, iron and fluids;
• eat a healthy meal, not necessarily large, no more than three hours before the donation;
• avoid fatty foods and drinks of extreme temperatures;
• skip dehydrating caffeine starting six hours before and alcohol starting the night before.
• come with enough sleep;
• avoid smoking.
Low protein or iron levels can prevent donation.
On average, under normal circumstances, the human body requires 50-80 grams of protein daily from eggs, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, nuts and beans. Sources high in iron include tuna, lean red meat, eggs, nuts, beans and iron supplements.
For the meal before a donation, BioLife recommends foods high in protein, such as lean meat, or complex carbohydrates, such as bread, cereal and fruits. Avoid fatty foods, such as fried foods, cheese, ice cream and cakes, because they may interfere with the performance of laboratory tests and prevent donation.
So how is the plasma separated out?
Sophisticated medical equipment separates plasma from platelets - red and white blood cells - called plasma apheresis (ay-fer-ee-sis) and returns the rest of the blood components to the body.
More information on donating plasma
Basic requirements: • 18 years or older • At least 110 pounds • Can donate twice a week, with 48 hours in between donations • Arrive hydrated and continue to drink plenty of fluids • Bring proof of residency and identification. ZLB Plasma asks for a driver's license and Social Security Card
Facts: • Your body contains approximately 12 pints of whole blood • Plasma is the light yellow liquid part of blood, made mainly of water and proteins • Plasma helps control bleeding and infection • Plasma functions as an aid in the circulation of other parts of the blood: red and white blood cells and platelets • Plasma helps maintain blood pressure by supplying critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity (American Red Cross) Locations: • Nabi Biopharmaceuticals 78215 711 Broadway • Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital 78212 355 N. Santa Rosa Ave. 210-704-2011 • ZLB Plasma Service 78201 3655 Fredericksburg Road. 210-736-2824 • South Texas Blood and Tissue Center 8527 Village Dr. #109 78217 210-731-5555 • 4410 Medical Drive. #220 78229 Grifols Biomet Lexington Ave. and North Main 210-223-9119
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