You may have heard that you can switch your plasma donation center if you don’t like the one where you signed up. But is it really that easy? The answer is yes and no. It all boils down to your personal situation and how much time and effort you’re willing to put into switching your plasma donation center. Read on to find out more about switching your plasma donation center, wherever you live!
Can I Switch Plasma Donation Centers?
Yes! You are free to donate your plasma at any donation center that suits you. However, it is important to note that some centers may be closer to you than others, so it may be more convenient for you to donate to a center that is closer to your home or workplace. Additionally, some centers may offer special promotions or discounts on their services, so it is worth checking out the websites of various donation centers before making a final decision.
What’s The Difference Between Plasma Donation And Blood Donation?
- Plasma donation is a procedure where a person’s blood plasma is separated from their blood and donated to patients with rare diseases. Plasma contains antibodies, proteins, and nutrients that help fight disease.
- Blood donation is when you donate blood to help someone who needs it. Blood donors are given only certain types of blood, while plasma donations are given any type of blood they want as long as they’re healthy enough to donate.
- Plasma donation centers usually take more than one donor per day, and the process takes about an hour or two. Blood donations take about an hour each per donation, and the process may involve several donors at once if the need for more blood arises at a later time (i.e., if there’s a shortage).
- Plasma donation centers are more expensive than blood donation centers. This is because plasma donations usually cost more, and the process is more time-consuming than a drop in the bucket of blood donations.
- Blood donors get paid for their time and their plasma donations get paid for by the hospital or plasma center where they donate, not by the individual donor.
- Blood donors have to be at least 17 years old, while anyone can donate plasma. Plasma donations are limited to those under 18 years old in most states (but many states allow exceptions).
Can You Switch Your Plasma Donation Center?
1. You Can Switch Your Plasma Donation Center
You can switch your plasma donation center if you decide you don’t like the one you signed up with. You just need to do a little legwork and make sure that the company operating your current plasma donation center is willing to accept your request to switch. You’ll need to send a letter stating that you want to switch, along with any supporting documents (such as copies of your driver’s license, health insurance cards, or utility bills).
2. You Must Contact Your Plasma Donation Center Within 30 Days of Signing Up
After signing up, the company should have sent you a letter in the mail (or emailed) notifying you of your appointment time. If they did not, call them right away and ask when it will be convenient for them to set up an appointment for you at their facility. Once they have received your request, they will contact you within 30 days and schedule an appointment at their facility. Do not wait until the last minute!
3. You Have To Show Up For Your Appointment
You must show up at your appointment time. If you do not, the company will assume that you have changed your mind and declined your appointment. If that’s the case, they will extend their normal 30-day period to try and contact you again. If they still cannot reach you, they will cancel your appointment and issue an automatic refund for any prepaid donations you made for that month.
4. You Cannot Switch Plasma Donation Centers Within 30 Days Of Giving Blood
You are only allowed to switch plasma donation centers within 30 days of giving blood. So if you’re considering switching, make sure to give blood first! This is because plasma donation centers often prefer donors who have given plasma before so that they can be sure the donor is used to donating regularly at their facility before officially taking them on as a customer. So if you used to donate monthly but now you’re only donating every 3 months, your plasma donation center may not be willing to take on you as a customer.
5. Don’t Switch Plasma Donation Centers If You Have A Medical Condition That Affects Your Health
If you have any medical conditions that affect your health, such as diabetes or heart disease, it is best to stick with the plasma donation center that is closest to where you live. This is because the companies that operate plasma donation centers will be able to monitor your health and make sure that it does not interfere with your ability to donate regularly.
Things To Consider Before You Decide To Switch Your Plasma Donation Center
1. Your blood type
It’s a good idea to think about your blood type before you start the process of switching plasma donation centers. You can check this out on your donor card, which is located on the back of your arm. The most common types are O+ and A+. If you have an O+ blood type, then you should most likely choose a center that uses A-negative blood. If you have an A+ blood type and a center that uses A-negative blood, then it’s best that you choose a center that uses O-negative blood.
2. Your location
You might be able to switch plasma donation centers if you’re in the same city, but it’s not always going to be an easy task. The closest center is not necessarily going to be the best place for you. You need to think about your commute and how far you have to travel on a daily basis. If it takes you 45 minutes to drive in one direction, then it might be worth the effort of getting a change of scenery.
3. Your schedule and what time you donate plasma
If you’re only able to donate plasma once every two weeks, then it’s probably not worth the effort of switching your plasma donation center. If you have a tight schedule that keeps you from donating plasma more than once per week, then switching will likely be difficult for you. It’s important that your donor center allows for flexible scheduling options so that no matter what your schedule is like, they can accommodate your needs as best as possible.
4. Your choice of donor center
If you’re not happy with your plasma donation center, it’s possible to switch to a different location or even a different type of donation center. If you have another option that is closer to your home or work, then it might be worth the effort of switching plasma donation centers. You can also ask your current donor center if they are interested in switching for you. You just have to make sure that there is space available for any new donors and that the new location is willing to take on any additional donors from your current donor center.
5. Your medical history and health issues
It’s important that you consider your medical history and health issues before you decide to switch plasma donation centers. If there is something that might make donating plasma difficult in the future, then it will probably be best if you stick with one location so that you don’t have any problems with blood-borne diseases.
6. Your choice of donor center
You might be able to switch plasma donation centers if you’re in the same city, but it’s not always going to be an easy task. The closest center is not necessarily going to be the best place for you. You need to think about your commute and how far you have to travel on a daily basis. If it takes you 45 minutes to drive in one direction, then it might be worth the effort of getting a change of scenery.
What Happens If You Change Your Mind And Want To Switch Back?
- You must be 21 years of age or older to sign up for a plasma donation center.
- You must be in good health and have no known medical conditions that would prevent you from donating blood.
- You can only change your plasma donation center once every 12 months and you will have to pay the difference in price between the two centers.
- If you live more than 25 miles from your current plasma donation center, you can donate at a new location as long as it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In some cases, your doctor may be able to approve an additional site for your donation if there is not one nearby or within driving distance of where you live. But it is not possible to switch locations with less than 25 miles between them.
- Once you make your donation, you cannot change the center or locations where the plasma is collected. The plasma must be processed before it can be donated again.
- You can change your center if you are in a hospital, long-term care facility, or another type of medical facility and are unable to donate at your current center because of a medical condition. The plasma must be processed before it can be donated again.
Conclusion
Switching your plasma donation center can be a difficult process. If you want to switch, you’ll want to make sure you have a good reason for doing so and that you understand the process. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you find a new plasma donation center that’s reputable, certified, and registered with the FDA. In the end, we hope that you’ve learned a lot from this article. From what you can expect when you first visit a plasma donation center to how to switch your plasma donation center, we hope you feel more prepared.
