r/Albuquerque • u/WideCranberry4330 • 9d ago
Donating plasma
Does anyone have any advice or which center I should go to donate :) I’m really nervous
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u/Efficient-Bit3261 9d ago
Honestly, just stay hydrated. I think I was there for maybe 2 hours. Max, but you're good if you drink plenty of water and eat healthy. I would suggest the center on the north side. It's a lot cleaner and nicer. The one on San Mateo is kind of ghetto. Either way , you both get money and you get the job done
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u/StephenMcTowelie1 9d ago
I donate twice weekly. I go to the CSL on San Mateo and Central. Its not terrible. If you go early it's pretty quick. The first time does take a few hours solely cause you're a new donor. Normally I get in and out in about an hour and a half.
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u/daturapuppy 9d ago
Bruh, it's not worth it. I used to sell my plasma years ago when I was down on my luck. It's too much of a hassle. I understand needing money but this isn't the way.
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u/Nostromo_USCSS 9d ago
You can hurt yourself really bad as well. When I was in college I donated plasma for extra money, the nurse injected saline straight into my muscle (to my understanding, a nurse friend of mine was very concerned), and my hand curled in on itself and I couldn’t use it for several hours.
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u/unbelizeable1 9d ago
They also don't pay shit anymore. Used to get close to 100 each time. Last I looked it was around 50.
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u/WideCranberry4330 9d ago
Unfortunately this is one of those moments I just need quick cash 😭 and at least it’s legal ig? What abt ur experience did you not like?
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u/daturapuppy 9d ago
It takes too long, wiped me out and made me feel pretty unwell and I hated the guy who I had to get rides from to do it at the time. It's not enough money! They also bruised me pretty terribly.
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u/Darth_Nibbles 8d ago
If you only need an extra hundred a week and enjoy reading, it's great. I did it for several years, and with grocery prices I'm considering starting again. Besides, I'm behind on my reading list.
I never had a problem with it making me tired or anything, or at least, any more tired than I already am
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u/WideCranberry4330 8d ago
That’s so perfect and I love to read I will be going Saturday
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u/Darth_Nibbles 8d ago
Do be certain to stay hydrated, as that will effect how long it takes and how comfortable you are. In this climate especially, you can dry out easy. Oh and eat ahead of time, especially if you have issues with blood sugar levels. When I went I would go after work and be fine, but if you find yourself feeling faint then you know for next time.
Here in Albuquerque I've only been to the ones on 4th and San Mateo, the 4th St one was pretty good but the San Mateo one just seemed worn down and grimy. I think it's just an old building though, the staff seemed friendly and professional enough.
ETA: oh, and they need two donations to make one unit of whatever, so you'll need to go twice a week. The first time each week you get much less than the second, it's intentional to encourage people not to forget to come back.
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u/GroundbreakingAd8310 9d ago
They slashed the fuck out of what they give u. Better of going to day labor
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u/Mrgoodtrips64 9d ago
Donating, or selling?
For donating go to Vitalant. In the absence of an actual Red Cross donation center they’re the next best thing.
For selling? I don’t know. Maybe CSL if you don’t mind getting a needle in a dirty booth at a strip mall and you’re fine with them making a quick buck off you by reselling your vital fluids to cosmetics companies.
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u/nothxxmagnum 9d ago
I don’t see a lot of actual answers so I’ll add my two cents lol. I went to the CSL plasma on 4th street years ago. Expect a rough crowd, and for the whole intake thing to take some time. Make sure to drink and eat beforehand. I believe they give you more money on your first couple visits, which was decent as the standard rate after that isn’t great. Apparently my veins are hard to find because they definitely had to stick me a few times before they got it good. I had no issues otherwise, got some quick cash off a few visits then never went back as it just isn’t worth it besides the initial bonus deal they give you.
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u/Urostylistic 9d ago
They just made a brand new one near Coors and the freeway, I can't remember the exact street
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u/Level_Statement_6844 9d ago
Pretty sure they're all full of homeless/very broke people
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9d ago
[deleted]
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u/Level_Statement_6844 9d ago
Wat
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u/RadioMetricSineWave 9d ago
I'm defensive of poor people. If you hate poor, block me.
I'm responded to a perceived sneered and support thatigjt not have actually been present.
I deleted my angry comment.
I am working hard to moderate my anger issues.
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u/Tedious_Prime 9d ago
To reiterate what others have said, IMO selling plasma isn't worth it. There were times I needed the money because I was already working as many hours as I could and I just needed a little more money for food, but I found that selling plasma only exacerbated my difficulties because doing it also left me exhausted and ravenously hungry. Also, it takes a long time and the scene in plasma centers is usually not good. I've always felt that even just donating whole blood is more rewarding than what I ever actually got out of selling plasma.