To earn a few extra dollars without taking on an after school job, some ISU students turn to donating plasma. Adam Hardy, sophomore in pre-business, said he donated when he was low on cash and between jobs. “I didn’t have a job at the time I donated,” he said. “But now that I have a job, I don’t donate anymore.” Those with firsthand donation experience said the small amount of pain associated with the needle is worth the $25 paid at each session. The donor is paid an extra $10 for the second donation, but the amount goes back to $25 after the second donation, said Peg Smith, center supervisor at Community Bio Resources, 1618 Golden Aspen Drive. Smith said a person may donate up to twice a week. Students said occasional bruising is the most encountered side effect; however, Hardy said he has scars on his arm, and he would not recommend that men donate. He said men give more plasma than women, but are still paid the same amount. Eric Fatka, senior in animal science, and Whitney Buchman, sophomore in zoology, have donated plasma and they said donating plasma is a great way to earn extra money. “I would definitely recommend donating plasma to other students if they are not squeamish about needles,” Fatka said. Community Bio Resources sends their plasma donations to Vienna, Austria, or Rochester, NY, where the plasma is frozen and stored for several years, Smith said. “Plasma is stored for up to seven years for tracking and safety reasons,” she said. “If a person who gave plasma is later found to have a medical problem, the plasma that person donated can be tracked and not used.” Smith said plasma is needed since “plasma is used to make products and medicines for hemophiliacs and burn victims.” Those who want to donate blood as well as plasma must wait eight weeks, Smith said. “When people give blood, they lose red blood cells and they cannot lose any more,” she said. “Their bodies need time to build back up to the normal amount of red blood cells.” For students concerned with possible risks, Smith said there are no risks to students who donate plasma twice a week or less.