NWR: Donating Blood Plasma

Nickie431 · October 2011

I imagine we'd all support donating blood as an act of compassion and charity toward the sick and agree (along with the Church) that the selling or trafficking of human body parts is immoral as a degredation to the infinite worth of our bodies as temples of the Lord.

I'm considering donating plasma (the liquid part of the blood is separated from the blood cells, which are returned to the donor's body), for which donors are usually paid. This compenation is legal because it's identified as for the donor's time (a couple hours) and mild discomfort--not for the plasma itself. To me, the distinction is a bit murky. If I go ahead and do this, would it be morally preferable or even obligatory to decline the compensation?

Thanks for your input!

divinemsbee · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nwr-donating-blood-plasma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:ec822a42-8669-413b-9890-8463f3f5871bPost:b5e4c9a8-1a49-42f5-b2de-48e264813937">NWR: Donating Blood Plasma</a>:
[QUOTE]I imagine we'd all support donating blood as an act of compassion and charity toward the sick and agree (along with the Church) that the selling or trafficking of human body parts is immoral as a degredation to the infinite worth of our bodies as temples of the Lord. I'm considering donating plasma (the liquid part of the blood is separated from the blood cells, which are returned to the donor's body), for which donors are usually paid. <strong>This compenation is legal because it's identified as for the donor's time (a couple hours) and mild discomfort-- not for the plasma itself</strong>. To me, the distinction is a bit murky. If I go ahead and do this, would it be morally preferable or even obligatory to decline the compensation? Thanks for your input!
Posted by Nickie431[/QUOTE]

To me, this feels pretty clear. I do know people who have done this for grocery money, though, and I don't necessarily feel that's wrong, because they were being paid for their time and discomfort, the same as they'd be paid for it if they did yard work for a few hours, or paid to work, really. But that's me. I think if it's really making you uncomfortable, and you don't need/want the money, then donating it sounds like a good idea.

shawna127 · October 2011

I see nothing wrong with taking the money. It is not like you are donating something that you can never get back. Our body produces blood so it is not like you are selling your liver for big bucks. lol I hope that made sense. Basically I would do what ever you are comfortable with. Good luck!

)

chelseamb11 · October 2011

Nothing wrong with taking the money at all. I used to donate plasma as well. It's usually only $20ish per session. Because it is takes some time, I se eit as being paid for my time. Plasma goes so much further than blood too.

blush64 · October 2011

I live in Ontario, Canada and we don't get paid for blood so I wouldn't have to worry about that. (or plasma)

I don't think it's an issue if this is something you would do anyway. If you are doing it just for money it might be a little different. (murky when you do it for money for food but I just don't know)

Maybe donating the money would be a good idea.

mica178 · October 2011

I've never been paid for blood products. Where I donated, they'd give gift certificates, so it was more of a gift rather than a payment.

If you feel icky about taking the money, donate it.

Yankee in the South · October 2011

I said go ahead and take the money and spend it on whatever you want! I know a lot of people who did this through college and I would consider doing it if I could, but I'm anemic, so they don't want my blood or won't let me because it'd be bad for me - I'm not actually sure which...

Be prepared to be a little tired or fatigued for the next day or so afterwards. Also, from what I've been told you have two needles in you at once - one in each arm. One for taking the blood out, the other for putting it back in.

BUT I do take issue with when the same people I mentioned above who say that they were "donating" plasma - as if it was something that they should get a pat on the back or a trophy for. I know you said that you're supposedly getting paid for your time, not the plasma, but if you're doing it for the money or atleast getting some sort of financial benefit from it, PLEASE don't use words that give the impression that you think you're a humanitarian for doing it.

FWIW I also take issue with people who grow out their hair and chop it short to donate it Locks of Love and then announce it and what a good person they are on facebook. Actually I think it's distasteful to publicize anything you do in the name of charity - along the same lines as B&Gs who make a donation to charity in lieu of favors and then tell you about it.

lalaith50 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_nwr-donating-blood-plasma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:ec822a42-8669-413b-9890-8463f3f5871bPost:5be058d2-4e3d-4249-a714-fc3d97cbf8d8">Re: NWR: Donating Blood Plasma</a>:
[QUOTE] PLEASE don't use words that give the impression that you think you're a humanitarian for doing it. FWIW I also take issue with people who grow out their hair and chop it short to donate it Locks of Love and then announce it and what a good person they are on facebook. Actually I think it's distasteful to publicize anything you do in the name of charity - along the same lines as B&Gs who make a donation to charity in lieu of favors and then tell you about it.
Posted by Yankee in the South[/QUOTE]
LOL. nice. I'm sure they have good reasons for doing that, but I see the silliness of "publicized charity." (perhaps instead to set an example and encourage others to do the same? but that is a discussion for another post...)

bloverde · October 2011

When someone asks what happened to 16 inches of hair, what are you supposed to tell them? It fell off in the middle of the night into a perfect stacked bob?

Yankee in the South · October 2011

LOL. No no no. I'm not expecting people to lie or blame it on underpants gnomes! I just would find it more classy for them to be somewhat humble about it. I guess I've encountered a few too many girls who post about it on facebook, including 6 pictures of the ponytail that was chopped (not their new haircut), bring it up at every oppurtunity, and act like it's something to be proud of.

It leaves me wanting to say... "I get it! You made a donation to charity and got a free haircut! Congratulations!"

agapecarrie · October 2011

I donate mine every 2 years. I don't get a free haircut. I tell people about it because I didn't even know I could do it till one time when I had about 8 inches chopped and afterward she said... almost long enough to donate. Ugh! Had you told me, I would have waited another couple months and cut it a bit shorter and you would have had enough.

I have several friends that chopped their hair not realizing the same thing.

I don't put any pics on FB. I don't publicize my donations/volunteering, but I do this because it is SOOO not a big deal. There is nothing to it. No work involved, except the annoying part of taking care of it when its on the longer side.

LadyRusa · October 2011

The Blood Center of SE Wisconsin does not pay people to do this, so the idea of being compensated is a bit strange to me.I've been donating blood since I was 18 but have not yet done plasma.

chelseamb11 · October 2011

I used to do the locks of love thing, until I found out they charge people for their wigs.... So in essence you are donating to the organization itself, not the person getting the hair.

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