Plasma donations provide some extra scratch for UCF students.
By Michael Menendez
Times are always tough on college students. With how much school costs today, it is easy to see why there is such a highstress level amongst said demographic. Have no fear, though, because there is an easy way to make a little extra cash on the side.
Plasma, the protein reserve of the body, is something that many people need due to health issues, and something plasma centers are willing to pay top dollar to attain. At Biotest, a plasma center right down the road from UCF, such a need for extra money can be attained.
At this center, students are exclusively allowed to donate plasma, for as much as $340 dollars a month. When you go, they have two systems: new donors and returning donors. For the first visit, the clinic gives the new donor a physical to make sure they are healthy and able to donate plasma, meaning no prior health issues that could jeopardize the donor’s health (such as a heart disease) or the person receiving the plasma’s health. After the physical, it’s all cake from there.
Your finger is pricked every time you go to donate to check your iron levels, and then you’re ready to donate. After thedonation is complete, money is automatically transferred to a debit card the center provides for you, making it easy to transfer and obtain money from the account. No money can be put in to the account from the donor, however.
The service is relatively quick after the first visit, ranging anywhere from one to two hours depending on how busy the clinic is as well as if the donor scheduled an appointment ahead of time. Still, a small price to pay to have an extra $40 dollars in your pocket.
Along with the already lucrative amount of money being paid for the donor’s “time and trouble,” the center also offers away for students to earn extra cash throughout the month. On certain days, they will give an extra five dollars for minor tasks, such as following the center on Facebook or Instagram for an extra five dollars. Also, referring someone to theclinic will give a student an extra $20 dollars after their referral donates twice.
Refer five people in a month? That’s an extra $50.
With this many ways to make an extra buck, struggling UCF students have no fear. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Biotest is located on Discovery Drive, less than two miles from the closest UCF.
Michael Menendez is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida where he majored in journalism.
