2 ms·

This was an intriguing read, so I'm kind of reluctant to go OT... but is selling blood and/or plasma really a thing in the US? For background, I'm from the UK,

This was an intriguing read, so I'm kind of reluctant to go OT... but is selling blood and/or plasma really a thing in the US? For background, I'm from the UK, where people donate blood, plasma and platelets, and AFAIK, it's illegal to sell such things. I read all kinds of things about US health care on HN, but this isn't something I've come across before. If true... I don't know exactly, it just feels very, very strange, especially for a "western" country.

bdcravens 7y ago
> is selling blood and/or plasma really a thing in the US? Yes. An acquaintance who has a Masters in CS (but no experience so they're finding the job search tough) sells weekly.
- nojvek 7y ago
  Wait how. I want to do this. Sounds like great extra income.
pedrosorio 7y ago
I'm from Europe as well and remember seeing this mentioned in more than one US movie. For example, there is a scene in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Happyness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Happyness where the main character sells blood for money. You can find several websites that mention this "money making strategy": https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/make-money/240-month-selling-plasma/ https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/make-money/240-month-selling...
- DailyHN 7y ago
  Selling blood is somewhat outlawed. I say somewhat because you can still receive gift cards and movie tickets. Selling plasma for cash is mostly done by very impoverished people. I used to live a few blocks from one of these businesses. The people you see hanging around the place would probably discourage anyone but the neediest from "donating."
foogazi 7y ago
People can donate but what if there is a need for more?
chispamed 7y ago
In Germany you can also get paid to donate blood or plasma. So this definitely happens in Europe as well. However the pay is not that high, it’s basically just a small compensation for your lost time and nutrients.

bdcravens 7y ago

> is selling blood and/or plasma really a thing in the US? Yes. An acquaintance who has a Masters in CS (but no experience so they're finding the job search tough) sells weekly.

nojvek 7y ago
Wait how. I want to do this. Sounds like great extra income.

pedrosorio 7y ago

I'm from Europe as well and remember seeing this mentioned in more than one US movie. For example, there is a scene in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Happyness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Happyness where the main character sells blood for money. You can find several websites that mention this "money making strategy": https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/make-money/240-month-selling-plasma/ https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/make-money/240-month-selling...

DailyHN 7y ago
Selling blood is somewhat outlawed. I say somewhat because you can still receive gift cards and movie tickets. Selling plasma for cash is mostly done by very impoverished people. I used to live a few blocks from one of these businesses. The people you see hanging around the place would probably discourage anyone but the neediest from "donating."

foogazi 7y ago

People can donate but what if there is a need for more?

chispamed 7y ago

In Germany you can also get paid to donate blood or plasma. So this definitely happens in Europe as well. However the pay is not that high, it’s basically just a small compensation for your lost time and nutrients.