The opening of a plasma donor center in Ames may become an easy way for Iowa State students to earn quick cash.

“The average person can earn between $15 and $20 for donating plasma,” said Angie Hughes, ISU junior and a screener at Centeon Bio/Services in Des Moines. “The price really depends on the weight of the person. The heavier you are the more you can earn.”

According to the Internet, donating plasma is similar to donating blood. An apheresis machine takes the blood out of the body where it gets spun, releasing the plasma, and then it returns the red blood cells back to the body.

Dr. Mark Blaedel, director of the Student Health Center, said the plasma donor center being built on Golden Aspen Drive is expected to open March 3.

Blaedel said a person can donate plasma every couple of weeks without becoming anemic.

Each plasma donor center has a computer system linked with centers across the nation. This allows each center to check donor history and prevent patients from donating more than two times per week, which is against FDA regulations, Hughes said.

All plasma samples are also checked for syphilis, AIDS and hepatitis, Blaedel said.

“There is no way for a patient to go to another center in a different state to donate because of our computer system,” she said.

Hughes said they also mark patients’ fingers with a solution sensitive to black light that lasts up to one week.

Like with donating blood, many perspective donors may be concerned with possible risks.

Blaedel said, “If it is a good donor center, there are next-to-no risks in donating.” He said there will only be a risk if the center uses a dirty needle. “Donors should watch the technican to make sure a new package is opened every time,” he said.

A variety of people are seen donating each week, Hughes said, ranging from businessmen and women to college students.

“A lot of the college students use the money as a source of income because they make more sitting here for an hour than working at a normal part-time or full-time job,” Hughes said.

Plasma donor centers are a “new wave,” Blaedel said.

“Traditionally plasma centers have been inner-city operations where they could get donors at a lower expense, but many plasma centers have moved to upscale, cleaner environments, like Ames,” he said.

According to the Internet, the first visit takes two to three hours due to the screening process. After the first visit the donation takes 30-50 minutes.

Patients can watch television or movies while they are donating.

The number of donations varies week to week, but according to Hughes, a significant decline is noticeable when the school year is over.

All donors must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good physical condition.

During the first visit, patients must get a physical and go through a screening process.

During the process they review a questionnaire, monitor vital signs and take a blood test.

They are able to donate while at their first visit, Hughes said, but it takes one week before the physical test results are returned. The plasma is also tested.

“The only restrictions to donating are if a patient is taking any form of medication or if they have a reaction; otherwise there are not any restrictions,” she said.

Hughes, who is a donor herself, said the donating process is not painful unless you are afraid of needles.

According to the Internet, plasma benefits individuals who are shock or burn victims or who have blood-clotting disorders.

The collected products are distributed to hospitals and clinics.

Currently there are only two plasma centers located in Iowa, Hughes said.

One is located in Davenport, while the other is located on Sixth and University Avenues in Des Moines.