The implications of being a broke college student are understandably hard hitting. It’s tough to be broke in a world where nothing is free.

Donating plasma is a way to keep your wallet fat. At BioLife Plasma Services, 1455 County Farm Road, donors are paid for their plasma and could make up to $240 a month. But before you jump in the donor‘s seat, it’s important to take into consideration some of the risks associated with donating plasma.

According to the BioLife Web site, donating plasma could take up to two hours per visit. As we all know, time is a precious commodity, plus there can be physical risk involved.

“Sometimes the technicians seem to forget they are putting a needle in a person by the way they treat you,” said Paul Howell, senior English major. “They lose perspective that a needle in the arm hurts, and I’ve walked away with bruises the size of a silver dollar before.”

If all goes right, there is still the issue of time. Sitting still, watching a needle in your arm for two hours hardly sounds appealing. Even if there are no complications with the needle insertion and withdrawal, other risks are still possible.

“I don’t donate plasma basically because of the needles,” said Evan Thorne, senior English education major. “I’m terrified of them.”

Besides money, people donate plasma for a good cause. Plasma is used to treat disorders like hemophilia, rabies, measles and hepatitis B. A few hours and a slightly weakened immune system is the least you can do in order to help people.

However, in 2001, the FDA warned that recipients of plasma-related transfusions are at risk of contracting Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI), a serious pulmonary syndrome. If not treated immediately TRALI can cause the lungs to fill with liquid and possibly lead to death.

In 2007, The International Herald Tribune reported that only about a quarter of plasma is directly transfused into patients. The rest of it is used for treating other disorders. Dr. Richard Benjamin, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross, maintains that 60 percent of TRALI fatalities reported to the Red Cross were linked to plasma transfusions.

If donating plasma is purely an economic decision, consider the health risks of both donators and recipients.

If you absolutely must donate plasma, keep yourself hydrated and fill your diet with protein to prevent post-donation weakness. Keep an eye on needle maintenance and ask questions as to what exactly your plasma might be used for. A healthy and knowledgeable donor may prevent kinks (like TRALI) in the system later on.