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Donation Tips
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Preparing for Your Plasma Donation
Tips for Donating Plasma Faster
Here are plasma donation tips to shorten your time:
1. Avoid peak donation periods of the day
2. Use your OctaPass
OctaPass is an online screening questionnaire that helps you save time at our donation center. To use OctaPass:
- Download OctaApp.
- Complete the online questionnaire the day of your donation.
- Scan your barcode when you arrive at the center.
Health and Nutrition Tips
Eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water is always important for your health. Focusing on good nutrition is even more important before and after you donate plasma. Follow these tips to get your body ready to donate, and to prepare for a safe and successful plasma donation experience.
Before you donate plasma
- Stay Hydrated – Drink 6 to 8 cups of water or juice the day before you donate plasma and the day of your donation.
- Eat Protein and Iron-Rich Food – Eat protein-rich, iron-rich meals at least 3 hours before donating plasma.
- Meat (Beef, Chicken, Eggs, Shrimp, Turkey, Ham)
- Dairy (Milk, Cheese, Yogurt)
- Beans, Nuts, Seeds
- Vegetables (Broccoli, Collard Greens)
- Fruits (Watermelon, Raisins)
- Cereals (iron-enriched)
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Wear comfortable clothes, with sleeves that can be pushed up to your shoulder.
- Bring something to pass the time. Take advantage of free wi-fi at all of our donation centers with a smartphone or tablet, or bring music (with headphones, of course), a book, or a magazine.
- Avoid fatty foods like french fries, potato chips, pizza, or sweets the day you donate. They can affect blood tests and make your plasma milky, which might prevent you from donating.
- Avoid alcohol the night before you donate plasma and the day of your donation.
After you donate plasma
- Wait 2 days to donate plasma again.
- Continue to drink plenty of water.
- Continue to eat foods rich in protein and iron.
- Avoid smoking for 30 minutes and alcohol for 4 hours after donation.
- Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after donating.
OctaApp
For donors, the OctaApp makes donating plasma, saving lives, and earning money so much faster and easier! Keep track of what you earn by checking your card balance right from the app and also use our payment calculator to set your expectations of your next donation visit! The new and improved OctaRewards Program is also on OctaApp now with:
- A new mobile interface allows you to access your rewards on the go.
- New ways to earn points.
- Redeem points for great perks such as express passes and gift cards.
- Points never expire.
- Be automatically enrolled in reward program after your 1st donation.
Plasma Donation Resources
Quick Links to Donor Tools
Find Your Plasma Center
Copyright© 2023 Octapharma Plasma. All rights reserved.
Privacy. UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Copyright© 2023 Octapharma Plasma. All rights reserved.
Privacy. UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage.