Donations equal cash at new plasma center in Seguin

Donors encouraged to earn with purpose

(Seguin) – The global blood plasma industry has officially arrived in Seguin.

Seguin’s first plasma collection center, Parachute, is now open for business at 928 N. State Hwy. 123 Bypass. The technology and hospitality-driven plasma collection company gives residents the chance to earn some extra cash and all while helping to ensure that others receive their life–saving treatments.

Eva Anderson, the marketing director for Parachute, says the company based in Austin is excited about opening its doors in Seguin. She says this makes the company’s 13th brick and mortar location.

“Our vision is to increase national access to life saving plasma and we rely on technology to bring plasma donation centers to communities like Seguin that don’t have immediate access to a donation center. Because of its proximity to our headquarters, our Seguin site is really going to become our flagship site. So, we are super excited to be a part of that community. We hire everyone locally and this year, we are projected to infuse millions back into the local economy. That is both in salaries for our employees as well as donation payments. When our donors are getting paid, they are using that money at local businesses,” said Anderson.

Now that doors are open, Anderson says the company is working to better explain what plasma is all about and how donating works.

“Donating plasma is similar to what you would think of a typical whole blood donation. The main difference is that our donors can receive compensation for taking the time to donate and plasma is a component of your blood. It’s made up of 90 percent water and 10 percent proteins and it’s really those proteins found in plasma that are then used to make life saving therapeutics for a ton of different chronic illnesses, immune related disorders, certain types of cancers – a lot of childhood illnesses rely on treatment made from plasma and something that is interesting is proteins cannot be synthetically manufactured in a lab so the supply of this medicine is completely reliant on the generosity of donors,” said Anderson.

Much of the incentive for folks to donate, however, is the ability to leave the center with cash in hand. Anderson says the growing need for plasma makes compensation one of the key components for the plasma collection industry.

“New donors can earn – we have a big promotion now so you can earn up to $130 dollars for making those first two donations. So, when you come in for your first visit, after you get registered, we are going to give you a VISA debit card. All of your payments will automatically get loaded onto that card immediately after you donate, and a receipt will come up after your donation is completed so you can see exactly how much you have earned. We have really made our app into almost a banking app so you can track your transactions, your card balance and our entire donation ecosystem really relies on this mobile app. I think that is something that sets us apart from other plasma donation centers because our donors can schedule donations. They can receive high-touch white glove customer support through their app. They can refer friends,” said Anderson.

Anderson says with the average compensation rate of $45 to $50 per donation, folks who steadily give all year long can earn as much as $5,000. Also, because the process is a bit like giving blood, Anderson believes more folks are willing to give it a try.

“The process is very similar. It takes from start to finish about an hour. The main difference is that you can actually donate plasma much more frequently than a traditional whole blood donation so because plasma is 90 percent water, your body is replenishing those fluids nightly so you can donate up to two times every seven days whereas with a traditional blood donation, you can donate I believe it’s like every 56 days so because of that and that it is mostly water, we are actually returning those red blood cells back to you through this closed loop process so it’s really just water and those proteins that you are losing that get regenerated,” said Anderson.

Basically, Anderson says the process for new donors boils down to that one factor, the needle. 

“A need is a needle and if you are comfortable with needles and have donated blood before, there’s really no big difference in that process,” said Anderson.

Anderson says a nationwide plasma shortage makes the opening of the Seguin location even more important.

“Demand for plasma therapy has been growing steadily at a rate of six to eight percent and that’s mainly due to just advances in diagnostics and new emerging therapies so for the past six years, there have not been enough plasma for those who need it and that’s why I think what we are doing is so special because we are coming into markets that don’t have access and opening up a whole new supply of plasma for patients,” said Anderson.

Anderson says Parachute has made donating plasma easy and looks forward to welcoming even more new donors. 

“That first step will be to download our mobile app. You can either go to our website which is joinparachute.com/app and that will take you right to the page to download it. We are on iPhone and Android and once you are in the app, you’ll be able to book that first visit and when you come in, that first visit does take a bit longer. I know I mentioned donations take about an hour but that first time you come in, I would plan for about three hours just because of the health screening and registration process but all you would need to do is book a donation. It’s about two clicks in the app to get there and then you’ll come in. We’ve had a ton of members come in so far who have never donated blood, so I think our team has been great about walking you through the process, answering those questions, making sure you feel comfortable with the process,” said Anderson.

The plasma center was recently welcomed into the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce.