Blood consists of several components: plasma and cellular elements such as red blood cells and white blood cells. During blood donation, the entire blood composition is collected, while during plasma donation only the plasma is collected. After separating the plasma, the useful blood cells are returned to the donor’s body. After plasma donation, with proper nutrition and fluid intake, the body typically regenerates within 48 hours.
Approximately 55% of blood is plasma. It is extremely valuable because it is the basis for life-saving medicines used to treat rare chronic and sometimes life-threatening diseases. This unique component allows us to help those who need it the most.
The blood plasma collected at Haema Plasma plays a significant role in medical innovation. It is used to produce life-saving medicines for the treatment of rare chronic and sometimes life-threatening diseases. As a recognized leader in transfusion medicine, we also offer a comprehensive portfolio of solutions aimed at increasing safety from plasma donation to transfusion. Plasma is therefore a true life-saving gift, making every plasma donor a hero.
Haema Plasma Ltd., headquartered in the heart of Budapest, proudly operates seven plasma donation centers in Hungary and works closely with selfless donors who want to help others and contribute to the community.
The valuable plasma collected by our company is used to produce plasma-derived medicines that provide life-saving treatment for Hungarian patients suffering from serious conditions such as immune deficiencies and bleeding disorders.
Haema Plasma Ltd. is a partner of the Grifols company, a key player in the global healthcare industry. Grifols processes the plasma collected at Haema Plasma to produce life-saving plasma-derived medicines. These treatments are used for primary immunodeficiencies, hereditary angioedema, acute idiopathic polyneuritis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and several rare neurological and genetic conditions, contributing to the fight against chronic, severe, and life-threatening diseases.
We are proud of our mission to help people living with serious illnesses lead full lives.
The ID card can be replaced with a Hungarian passport or driver’s license. The TAJ card can be replaced with a European Health Insurance Card or an EU health insurance certificate. The address card can be replaced with official documents such as a residence permit or dormitory certificate confirming your address in Hungary.
If you booked your plasma donation appointment by phone or in person, you can cancel or modify it via our toll-free hotline. If you booked online, you can manage your appointment through our online booking system. Appointments for eligibility screening booked online can be cancelled via the link in the confirmation email.
This option is not mandatory. Everyone can donate at their own pace. There must be at least 2 days between two plasma donations, so the next donation can take place on the third day.
The body reproduces the plasma taken during donation within about 2 days. Therefore, there must be at least 2 days between two donations, meaning the next plasma donation can take place on the third day, but no more than 45 times per year (365 days). Generally, it takes about 2 days for the body to replenish proteins, ions, fluids, blood sugar, and other nutrients in the plasma. In rare cases, the donation schedule may be personalized. If necessary, our doctors will determine the optimal donation intervals for you individually. In general, with proper nutrition, donating plasma once a week is not burdensome for the body. At Haema Plasma, we check key health parameters at every donation to ensure safe plasma donation for everyone.
At Haema Plasma we recommend avoiding strenuous physical activity and sports on the day of plasma donation. This helps maintain optimal condition for donation and supports faster recovery afterward.
It is fine to drink coffee before donating plasma, especially if you usually do. However, it is important to drink enough water to stay properly hydrated.
If you donated blood within the last year, you can prove it with the certificate received during the blood donation. In this case, you do not need to donate whole blood again.
Currently, Haema Plasma does not perform COVID-19 screening during plasma or blood donation. However, we have implemented all necessary measures to protect the health of our donors and staff.
If you have recovered from COVID-19 and have been symptom-free for at least one month, please contact Haema Plasma.
Yes. If you have a TAJ card and TAJ number, you can donate plasma regardless of your social security status.
During plasma donation, an adequate hemoglobin level is important. Hemoglobin levels are checked during the eligibility screening and before every donation. If our doctors determine that a break is necessary due to iron deficiency, they will inform you.
At Haema Plasma there may sometimes be available capacity for walk-in donations, but this is not guaranteed. Therefore, we recommend always booking an appointment in advance to avoid inconvenience. Proper preparation – sufficient fluid intake and nutrition – is also important, which is easier if you know your appointment time.
Hemophilia is a serious condition in which the body is unable to ensure proper blood clotting, which can lead to life-threatening bleeding problems. Plasma donation can provide hope in such cases, as medicines made from plasma can help treat patients with hemophilia. This means that every plasma donation truly matters. In fact, approximately 1,200 plasma donations are required to provide a hemophilia patient with a one-year supply of medication.
The eligibility screening is a thorough health check that begins with a vein assessment. If your veins are suitable for plasma donation, a comprehensive medical examination and blood test follow. Laboratory results are typically ready within 7–10 days, and if everything is in order, you can begin donating plasma. This process ensures that plasma donation is safe for both donors and recipients.
Certain medications may affect your ability to donate plasma:
Various illnesses may affect eligibility for plasma donation, therefore each case is assessed individually by a physician. If you have undergone dental treatment, experienced a fracture, or had surgery, please consult our medical staff at the center or by phone beforehand. After recovering from an infectious disease, you must wait at least 2 weeks before donating plasma again.
Yes, Haema Plasma experts recommend eating before the eligibility screening.
You will be informed about the results of the physical examination during the visit. Blood test results are typically available within about one week. If we have your email address, you will receive a notification once the lab results are ready. If no email address is registered and the results are not satisfactory, we will contact you by phone to invite you for a personal consultation. About one week after the eligibility screening, you can inquire about your results and register for your first plasma donation.
After getting a tattoo, ear piercing, or body piercing, you must wait 4 months. After that, a follow-up blood test for viral screening is required before you can donate plasma again. This is due to the increased risk of infection.
It is important not to consume alcohol 10–12 hours before plasma donation, as it may affect blood composition and the safety of the donation.
Smokers can donate plasma if they do not have any disqualifying conditions. However, please avoid smoking immediately before and for 1 hour after donation. (Smoking is harmful to health.)
It is not recommended to attend screening or donate plasma while having a cold. Please wait until you are completely symptom-free and then wait an additional week before visiting us.
Plasma donation reduces protein and immunoglobulin levels in the body, so proper nutrition is important to keep these levels within a normal range. At Haema Plasma, we regularly monitor these levels and adjust donation frequency accordingly.
A protein-rich diet is especially important because plasma donation reduces protein levels in your body. A proper diet helps maintain adequate protein levels, which is essential for safe plasma donation.
“Lipemic” plasma means that the fat content of the plasma is higher than normal. Therefore, we recommend avoiding fatty foods 10–12 hours before donation to ensure your plasma can be used for pharmaceutical purposes.
A small bruise at the puncture site usually disappears quickly. To help prevent this, we recommend wearing the bandage for 2 hours after donation, avoiding strain on the affected arm, and not lifting heavy objects. If the other arm has a suitable vein, you can continue donating plasma. Heparin ointment may help with healing.
At Haema Plasma, we recommend avoiding heavy physical work and strenuous exercise on the day before and the day of donation.
The waiting time after vaccination depends on the type of vaccine. We recommend consulting a doctor and our donor screening staff to determine how long you should wait. Please bring your vaccination record. The waiting period may range from a few days up to four weeks or longer, depending on the vaccine. In many cases (such as influenza or COVID-19 vaccination), only a few days are required, provided you feel healthy.
If you were bitten by a tick and did not require medical treatment and have no symptoms, you can donate plasma again after 4 weeks.
After tooth extraction, root canal treatment, or other dental procedures, please consult our donor screening staff, which includes doctors and paramedics. They will inform you about the required waiting period:
Plasma donation is not allowed during pregnancy. After childbirth, donation is possible after at least 6 months, provided the mother is not breastfeeding. Donation is also not recommended during breastfeeding. If 6 months have passed since childbirth and you are not breastfeeding, no further waiting is required.
You must wait at least 6 months before donating plasma again.
We do not recommend donating plasma during menstruation. Please wait until it has ended.
Yes, if you are symptom-free, you may donate plasma after taking a painkiller.
You must wait 4 months after re-piercing, followed by a viral screening blood test, before donating again.
If you have a cold sore, you are temporarily excluded from plasma donation for 2 weeks from the onset of symptoms. Please return after full recovery and after the 2-week period.
Plasma donation is safe, as most of blood plasma consists of water, while the remaining components—such as proteins and vitamins—can be easily replenished with proper hydration and a balanced diet. Plasma donation is not harmful to your health if you follow our recommendations. In addition, our donor screening staff check the most important parameters during every donation to ensure both your well-being and the safety of the procedure.
Plasma donation is not harmful in the long term either, provided you follow the recommendations of Haema Plasma. The body quickly restores fluids and nutrients, such as proteins and vitamins, especially if you eat and drink properly after donation. A healthy and balanced diet supports fast recovery, which is why proper nutrition is particularly important for plasma donors.
Only one arm is used, except in rare cases when the initial puncture is not successful for plasma donation. In such cases, our qualified staff will decide whether a second attempt is necessary. We always strive to make the process as comfortable and safe as possible for you.
No, your blood does not come into contact with anyone else’s. During every plasma donation, we use sterile, single-use equipment to ensure maximum safety and hygiene.
Medicines produced from blood plasma are provided to patients with support from the public healthcare system, helping them in their recovery.
At Haema Plasma, it is rare for donors to feel unwell during donation. If it does occur, it may be due to insufficient fluid intake on the day before or the day of donation, or lack of sleep. Stress, donating on an empty stomach, or nervousness before the procedure may also contribute. It is important to arrive well-rested, properly hydrated, and calm in order to minimize the risk of discomfort.
During regular plasma donations, blood tests are carried out to screen for blood-borne viruses and to monitor protein levels. At each visit, we also measure your body temperature, weight, blood pressure, and pulse at reception, and check your hemoglobin level to rule out anemia.
A new eligibility assessment is required if more than 6 months have passed between two plasma donations.
At Haema Plasma, we recommend waiting at least 3 days after plasma donation before donating whole blood. After a blood donation, a 2-week break is required before the next plasma donation.
You can donate plasma again 14 days after giving whole blood.
No, the required annual whole blood donation can be completed at any organized blood donation location. Haema Plasma centers also regularly organize blood donation events to make it easier for our donors to meet this requirement. These dates are announced in advance at our plasma centers.
From your first plasma donation, you have 180 days to complete the mandatory annual whole blood donation. After that, you are required to participate in blood donation at least once every year (every 365 days).
Blood donation events are organized regularly at Haema Plasma centers. If the scheduled dates are not convenient for you, we kindly recommend visiting one of the partner institutions of the National Blood Supply Service.
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