Plasma is a yellow, liquid substance that is part of the roughly 12 pints of blood you have in your body. Through a process called plasmapheresis, you can donate a portion of your plasma to help drug companies make products to prevent and treat diseases including rubella, measles, hepatitis B, tetanus and rabies. Additionally, plasma treats hemophilia and some immune system conditions.

Some plasma collection centers may collect plasma for cosmetics and other consumer goods. Your donor coordinator can tell you how the center uses the plasma. You can find a plasma donation center by searching in an online database.