Brooklyn Park Business Fueled By Plasma Donations
A Brooklyn Park plasma donation business that opened last year says the demand for plasma is high. But Octapharma in Brooklyn Park hasn’t found as many donors as it had hoped.
“So we opened up in April in Brooklyn Park — it’s been a little bit of a slow start honestly,” said JJ Jennings, Octapharma senior regional director. “We see thousands of donors come through our doors but we’re still in such of a need … I would definitely like to see an increase in production at our Brooklyn Park location.”
Octapharma is one of three plasma donation businesses in the northwest suburbs. BioLife Plasma Services operates out of Maple Grove, while CSL Plasma operates out of New Hope. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Memorial Blood Centers also operates in Plymouth.
Plasma is a straw-colored blood component that carries nutrients through the body.
Bottles of plasma sit in a lab at Octapharma in Brooklyn Park.
The medical industry uses plasma to help treat patients with a variety of conditions including cancer.
“Everything from immuno-compromised patients to hemophiliacs, burn victims,” Jennings said. “It’s used in a lot of varieties across medicine.”
Plasma businesses typically compensate their donors.
“We see all different walks of life,” Jennings said. “Everything from college kids to grandparents.”
Jennings said that payment rates can vary by market, “but we’re supplementing hundreds of dollars a month.”
Longtime plasma donor Ryan Russek said he uses the money he gets from donating to plan for family trips and vehicle expenses.
“It’s a really nice thing to say not only am I getting the money aspect, but I’m also able to do good by providing my plasma,” Russek said. “It’s definitely been able to fund vacations for the family, sports for the family. My eldest is now getting to where he’s going to be driving in a little over a year, so it’s going to fund a car.”
It’s safe to donate plasma up to twice weekly.
