By TANGELA J. JOHNSON

Staff Writer

Students have an opportunity to save lives and make some quick cash at the same time.

Bio Life Plasma Services, located at 401 S. Vienna St., pays its patrons cash for donations.

Robin Clowers, a phlebotomist (blood work specialist) for Bio Life, said the process is much simpler than most people think.

"We show [first-time donors] a film and then give a blood test to check for the presence of drugs," Clowers said.

Clowers said people at least 18 and 110 pounds move on to the survey session. She also said since homosexuals are at the highest risk for the contraction of HIV/AIDS, those who are admittedly homosexual cannot donate plasma. Clowers also said donors are orally examined for white spots on the gums, roof of mouth, tongue and throat to determine if the donor may have AIDS.

Starting at around $35 a donation and increasing slightly with continued participation, the financial benefits can be substantial, Clowers said.

"They can receive up to $180 a month donating plasma because plasma donors can donate twice a week," Clowers said.

The process is two hours for the initial visit and 45 minutes for women. It is an hour and a half for men thereafter, Clowers said.

Latrece MacAllister, a former Tech CIS major, said she remembers when she learned about Bio Life.

"I heard about it from friends and classmates," MacAllister said.

MacAllister said she asked a girl with gauze around her arm if she gave blood.

"The girl told me that she didn't give blood but plasma. I didn't know what it was, so she explained it to me," MacAllister said.

MacAllister said she donated, and even though it hurt, it was worth it.

"You can benefit from it in so many ways," MacAllister said. "They give you a check up, tell you if your iron count is low and test the plasma for STDs." MacAllister said she was grateful for the gas and food money.

Matthew Dartez, a sophomore biochemistry major, said he learned about it from some friends.

"I heard my friends talking about it one day, and I've given blood before," Dartez said. "They said you get paid for it, and it feels like giving blood, so I did it."

Dartez said it took only five minutes but because he gave a large quantity, he was fatigued afterward.

"I felt really tired, and they gave me something to eat," Dartez said. "I also drank a lot of Gatorade."

Dartez said he would encourage anyone to donate.

"It's worth it. You get paid and it feels exactly like giving blood. So if you aren't afraid of giving blood, you should do it," Dartez said.

Clowers said plasma is used to make medicine for babies with weak immune systems as well as other illnesses.

At the same time, Clowers said those who want to pay debts or just have extra money are improving the quality of life for themselves and others in more ways than one.