General Frequently Asked Questions

CSL Plasma donors will receive a payment as part of the donation process. At the conclusion of your donation, the payment will be loaded directly onto a reloadable card and is immediately ready for use. Check with your preferred CSL Plasma collection center to see if they are participating in any special promotions.

Donors may also opt to join the iGive Rewards® donor loyalty program, which earns you points for every completed donation. You can redeem the points anytime for Cash Back. The more you donate plasma, the more points you receive, and the rewards get better as you acquire higher status: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or the exclusive Platinum level.

Pre-paid Paysign® card: call 1-866-CSL-0200

Pre-paid Onbe card: call 1-800-238-9762

Donors who have lost or stolen Bank of America cards should contact Bank of America cardholder customer service for access to remaining funds, which would be sent to the donor via check. 

As we start the new year 2023, CSL Plasma is adjusting the donor payment week. The new updated week now begins on Saturday and ends on the Friday of the following week. This is effective Dec. 31, 2022. 

We are making this change to help donors achieve their first donation at the start of a weekend, as well as to assist with donor service given the volume of CSL Plasma donations we are seeing at our centers.

As a reminder, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations state that the maximum frequency you can donate plasma is once in a two-day period – and, no more than twice in a seven-day period.

Individualized nomogram, known as Nom i or iNomi™, is a way to allow plasma donors to donate an optimal amount of plasma on any given day, combining your height, weight, and hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in your blood).

For centers who have iNomi™, the staff will measure your height before your next donation and at your annual health check thereafter. Donors may notice a difference in the target collection amount from donation to donation.

Some donors may see a change in the amount of plasma they donate. The target collection amount of plasma will be determined based on the donor’s height, weight, and hematocrit at each donation.

The amount of compensation a donor receives for each successful plasma donation continues to be based on the donor’s weight on the day of donation. The number of weight-based payment tiers is increasing from three to five.

Donor payments, as they have traditionally, may vary month-to-month, by location and for special promotions throughout the year.

Just like today, donor payments are based on a donor’s weight on the day of donation. With iNomi™ we are increasing the weight-based payment tiers from three to five.

Plasma is a component of blood. Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, all of which are suspended in plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood and makes up about 55% of it. Plasma is typically a clear, yellowish color, though the color may vary between samples. For instance, blood plasma may appear more red, orange, or green depending on the donor. Reddish-orange plasma is often seen in smokers and greenish plasma may be more apparent for those who are pregnant, on certain birth-control medication, have rheumatoid arthritis, or are on other medications.

The most common type of blood donation is called a whole blood donation. When you make a whole blood donation, you typically donate roughly one pint of blood. It can then be transfused in its original form or separated into its components, including plasma and red blood cells. Eligible donors age 19 and older can donate whole blood every 56 days.

When you donate plasma, blood is drawn from the arm and sent through a machine that automatically separates the plasma from the other blood components through a process called plasmapheresis. Then, the rest of your blood is returned back to you.

Plasma serves several important functions:

• Maintains blood pressure and volume
• Supplies proteins for blood clotting
• Carries electrolytes throughout the body to muscles
• Supports cell function by maintaining proper pH balance

When you donate plasma, it is a valuable resource to treat a variety of health problems. It is often used in treatments to save those suffering from medical emergencies including burns, shock, and trauma. Because plasma can increase blood volume and helps aid clotting, it is also provided to those with severe liver disease or clotting deficiencies. Plasma is also used by pharmaceutical companies as a component in certain medications.

Yes, plasma will regenerate in about 48 hours after donation. This is much faster than it takes for whole blood to fully replenish, which takes about one to two months. The plasma in your blood is formed from water and salts absorbed through the digestive track. Remember to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous physical activity after donating plasma while it continues to replenish.

To find out if there is a CSL Plasma near you or if there is a new center coming soon in your area, please click here. Most CSL Plasma locations are open Monday through Sunday in order to better serve you. Please contact your local CSL Plasma center to find out more information.

Marketing radius:

The marketing radius is determined by each center location. To find out if you live in a center’s marketing radius, please contact your local CSL Plasma center. 

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations state that the maximum frequency you can donate plasma is once in a two-day period – and, no more than twice in a seven-day period.

Any questions about donation eligibility, including medications, medical conditions or medical procedures should be directed to a Medical Staff Associate and/or the Center Manager. Therefore, please contact your local CSL Plasma center.

Please learn about our efforts to accommodate individuals with various disabilities.

You may experience mild discomfort when donating plasma, similarly to when donating blood or having blood drawn. Donors often compare the feeling of the needle to a slight pinch or bee sting.

CSL Plasma will monitor how you are feeling during and after the plasma donation process to check for side effects or other discomforts. To lessen the potential side effects of plasma donation such as fatigue or dehydration, aim to drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids and get substantial rest beforehand and be sure to rehydrate and avoid strenuous activity afterward.

If you experience lasting symptoms or persistent discomfort, call your CSL Plasma center or speak with your healthcare provider.

For healthy adults who meet the donation eligibility requirements, donating plasma is generally a safe medical procedure, however you may face mild immediate side effects. Short-term plasma donation side effects include:

• Dehydration. Because plasma contains water, removing it may cause donors to experience mild dehydration after donation.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness. Donating plasma may cause mild electrolyte imbalances because plasma contains a lot of salts, vitamins, and minerals (electrolytes) that help your body’s functions.
• Fatigue. If you experience dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, you may also experience tiredness after donating plasma.
• Bruising or discomfort. Bruising may occur at the site of the needle insertion, and you could experience some discomfort during the donation process. If you’re uncomfortable, you can speak with a clinician.
• Infection or inflammation. Donating plasma comes with a slight risk of infection. Signs of infection include pain, swelling, or feeling of warmth at the site of the needle insertion. If you experience these, contact the CSL Plasma center.

For healthy adults who follow the FDA guidelines for plasma donation frequency (once with two days apart and no more than twice in a seven-day period), donating plasma has very minimal long-term impacts on your overall well-being.

CSL Plasma will check your hematocrit and total protein levels prior to donating.

People who donate frequently or for an extended amount of time may have an increased risk for depleting immunoglobulin levels. This can lower the ability to fight off infections, so check in with your healthcare provider to monitor your immunoglobulin levels if you donate plasma often.

Generally, anyone in good health, between the ages of 18 to 74, who weighs at least 110 pounds, has no tattoos or piercings within the last 4 months, meets eligibility and screening requirements, and has valid identification and a permanent address can donate plasma. If you have AIDS, have tested positive for HIV, or have done something in the past four months that puts you at risk of contracting HIV, you should not donate plasma. Any questions about donation eligibility, including medications, medical conditions or medical procedures should be directed to a Medical Staff Associate. Eligibility is determined during your visit.

For a complete list of donation requirements, please contact the plasma center closest to you and ask to speak to a member of our staff.

A deferral is a determination by the center staff that an individual is not eligible to donate on a particular day. An individual may be deferred temporarily (for a limited period) or permanently.

You’ll be happy to know that appointments are not necessary. To find out the hours of operation for the CSL Plasma center nearest you, click here.

In order to be eligible to donate, you must have certain types of identification. You must have a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and proof of a social security number. Proof of residency would include, but is not limited to, a piece of mail postmarked in the past 60 days with your name and address clearly written on the envelope, current lease, etc. Please contact your local CSL Plasma center to find out more.

If you are eligible to donate plasma, a little preparation can make the process go even smoother. The night before your donation, get plenty of sleep. Drink lots of water before your donation and avoid caffeinated beverages to boost hydration. Eat a healthy meal beforehand and skip high-fat foods.

Be sure to bring all the proper identification with you to the donation center as well as wear a shirt with short sleeves or sleeves that can easily be rolled up. 

Plasma donation usually takes about 90 minutes to two hours. If you have a preference for which arm is used, you can share it. You will have a cuff or tourniquet placed around your upper arm to increase the blood in your veins and the skin on the inside of your elbow will be cleaned. A sterile needle will be inserted into your vein. Whole blood will be collected and then run through a machine to separate the plasma from the other components. Once the plasma has been collected, a final return of white and red blood cells will be completed followed by an infusion of a saline solution.

• Limit the amount of salt in your diet.
• Choose a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, poultry, legumes and fish. 
• Avoid alcohol in the 24 hours prior to your donation.
• Avoid tobacco products 1-2 hours before your donation. 
• Smoking cessation and limitation of alcohol could improve your blood pressure in the long term and thus impact your donations positively. 
• Exercise regularly and get adequate sleep. 
• Take your blood pressure medications as prescribed by your health care provider. You may need to see your health care provider for evaluation. 

• The most likely cause of low hematocrit is low iron.
• Increase your intake of iron rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, soybeans, leafy green vegetables, dried nuts, iron enriched grains and dried fruits.
• Also increase your intake of Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries and bell peppers, as Vitamin C rich foods enhance iron absorption.
• Other conditions may lead to a decrease in hematocrit instead of low iron. You may need to see your health care provider for evaluation. 

Our donor loyalty program, iGive Rewards®, lets you receive credits for every completed donation. You can redeem the credits anytime for a cash payout or other promotional items, when available. The more you donate plasma, the more points you receive, and the rewards get better as you acquire higher status: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum. Log in to your account today to see how many rewards you've earned.

You can log in to iGive Rewards® using the last 4 digits of your donor ID #, last name, and date of birth. To obtain the last 4 digits of your donor ID #, please contact your preferred CSL Plasma donation location.

You can access iGive Rewards® by clicking here or by downloading the CSL Plasma app.

You can earn iGive Rewards® credits for completed donations, completing surveys, and special promotions and offers.

Your credits history (donations, surveys, membership levels, account activity) can be viewed by selecting the “My Donations” tab when you log in to your iGive Rewards® donor loyalty account.

You can redeem the credits, choosing from a variety of rewards offered by selecting the "Online Store." Simply redeem your points and complete the checkout process. Fast Cash orders are electronically loaded to your reloadable prepaid card within 24 - 48 business hours. All physical goods are shipped to arrive within 4 - 6 weeks of order placement. Orders are shipped to the address on file at your preferred CSL Plasma donation location unless otherwise stated.

If you need to change your address, please do so at your preferred CSL Plasma donation location. Once updated, the new address will upload into your iGive Rewards® profile within 24-72 hours.

Donation credits are automatically uploaded into your account seven days within the following month.

iGive Rewards® credits expire if:

1) There is a lapse in donations of 30 days or longer.

2) You do not log in to your account at least once every 180 days (6 months).*

*When points expire due to login inactivity (after 180 days), points will continue to expire monthly (every 30 days) thereafter and continue expiring until such time as the next log in occurs.

iGive Rewards® offers additional recognition through Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum membership levels. Membership levels are based on a 12 month rolling calendar. Log in to review the full list of benefits and donation criteria for reaching each level.

You can opt in in two ways:

1) Log in to your iGive Rewards® donor loyalty account and select the email/text messaging icon from the home screen, or

2) While logged into your account, select the 'My Profile' tab at the top of the home screen, and edit your communication preferences. In order to receive special promotions from CSL Plasma, enter your email address and mobile phone number, opt in, and save your preferences.

CSL Plasma will send you information about upcoming promotions in your region. In addition, you can receive an email/text regarding closures due to bad weather.