Plasma Donors

What is plasma?

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood — golden in colour — containing proteins that help with clotting, infection control, and maintaining blood volume.

Why donate plasma?

Plasma supports patients with:

  • Severe bleeding
  • Burns
  • Haemophilia
  • Immune disorders
  • Genetic conditions

How plasma donation works:

  • A needle is placed in your arm.
  • Blood passes through a specialised apheresis machine.
  • The machine separates and collects the plasma.
  • The remaining blood components are returned to your body.
  • The cycle repeats until about ±650 ml of plasma is collected.
  • The full process takes about 40 minutes.

Is it safe?

Plasma donation is safe and monitored by trained staff. Some donors may experience mild side effects such as light-headedness, minor bruising, or tingling around the lips due to a temporary drop in calcium levels. These effects are usually mild and easily managed. Your body replaces donated plasma within about two days.

Criteria to become a plasma donor:

  • Ages 18–65 (first-time plasma donors)
  • Minimum weight 55 kg
  • Haemoglobin levels between 12–16 g/dl
  • Easily accessible veins
  • You can donate if you have been to a malaria area

Plasma can be donated every 2 weeks.

Where to donate:

You can donate plasma at the following Blood Donation Centres:

We advise donors to make a booking by sending us a WhatsApp message. Click on the Centre above to contact them directly. Due to the length of the procedure, plasma donation will take place until 1½ hours before closing time of the clinic.