plasma donation is advertised pretty heavily
where i live... moreso than practically any
other city i've ever been. there is a radio
commercial that features the voice of a
(obviously) middle class woman playing with
her children. the mom is talking about what
fun her life is and how great it is to be
able to afford 'special' gifts to herself
(like spa treatments, pedicures, etc) and
possibly family vacations thanks to the money
she receives from her 'donation' of plasma.
now its no secret that the average healthy
person donating plasma can receive around
$200 a month (in 4 easy installments)...
and over time, you can essentially rack up
a hefty sum of money -- enough to purchase
a low-end vacation to disneyworld (which is
touted in the radio spot).
but after hearing the commerical a bazillion
times, it finally occured to me ---
they pay for plasma... but not for blood.
a blood donation is charity.
the removal of plasma is very similar to
blood and although they return the unused
blood back into your system, i can't figure
out why there is money involved with plasma.
now i admit that i haven't actually taken
the time to go and google it up... but being
skeptical, i'm curious as to the reason why
plasma is worthy of money but blood isn't.
a thousand and one conspiracy theories rise
up in my head -- especially the most famous
one about the many secret medical tests and
biological weapons made from 'donated' plasma...
that i just wonder why i can get $200 a month
with my plasma. hell, its a better bargain
to 'donate' plasma than to donate blood!!
i'm being told that my plasma is being used
to help 'save lives' (though i'm not being
told HOW).... so i just wonder about it all....
so yeah... there you have it....
