DeKALB | There is a trend around campus for students to make an extra buck.

But, some students are donating plasma as not only an easy way to make money, but also to do a good deed.

“It’s easy money and it’s for a good cause,” said John Mahoney, a freshman communication major, who has been donating his plasma for about two months.

Mahoney said he heard about donating plasma through a friend.

“I’ve donated blood in the past, and I found the process interesting, and they pay you. So, I saw no downside,” Mahoney said.

Jeff Golden, freshman management major, is also a plasma donor. He heard about it from a classmate’s speech in a communications class.

“It’s not that much work for the amount of money you get for it,” Golden said.

Golden said he has made about $200 and has only gone eight times. According to a representative from BioLife Plasma Services in DeKalb, donors are paid $20 to $40 per visit, depending on how many times a week they donate.

The process of donating plasma is very different than donating blood. Instead of just sticking a needle in a vein and taking blood, the blood is pumped into a specialized spinning device. The plasma is then separated and filtered into a reservoir. Then, the blood, minus the plasma, is put back into your body.

To be eligible, an adult of at least 18 years old must be healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds. The person must also pass a physical exam and other criteria. It is also suggested to drink a good amount of water and have a well-balanced diet to ensure donating plasma is healthy.

The nearest place to donate plasma is at BioLife Plasma Services, 1455 County Farm Road, DeKalb. Forty percent of all donors at this location are students. This includes NIU students and students of other area schools, according to a BioLife representative.

Donated plasma is used to help treat many serious diseases or illnesses such as hemophilia, traumatic injuries and immune system deficiencies. The plasma donations benefit thousands of people daily.

According to the BioLife Plasma Services Web site, donating plasma is very safe and has minimal to no side effects. Both the donor and future recipient are protected with mandatory physical exams for the donor and screening of all the plasma in the system.

“There is a critical need for plasma; we are always looking for qualified donors,” said Linda Heinisch, a representative from BioLife.