FAQs
App & Scheduling
Our donation experience begins and ends in our app. Once you’re in the app, enter your mobile phone number and ZIP Code to get matched to the Parachute center nearest you. From there, you’ll be able to schedule donations, participate in challenges, refer friends, and keep track of your donation earnings.
When you refer a friend to Parachute and they complete their first visit they'll get a $5 bonus and you'll get $10 added to your next donation total. You'll receive an additional $10 each time they level up—up to $70. There's no limit on the number of people you can refer.
To refer someone, click “Power Ups" in the navigation bar of the app and the "Referrals" tab at the top. Then click the "Refer Friend” button to share your code via text, e-mail, social media, etc.
Your referral must open your link and enter their mobile number. Unfortunately, if they do not use your unique link, you will not get credit for this referral.
Open the app and click “Donate” in the navigation bar. Select the date you’d like to come in to view appointment availability for that day. Once you select your desired appointment time you’ll be able to confirm the appointment with the touch of a button.
We require members to book appointments through our app. This enables us to get you in, out, and on with your day as seamlessly as possible. Our app makes it easy to find a donation time that works for you. You can also reschedule or cancel appointments at your convenience.
At Parachute there are seven different donation levels. As you level up, you will earn more for each donation and be able to schedule more donations during your 30-day donation cycle. You’ll also have the advantage of being able to schedule donations further out and score a higher value time slot.
Each level corresponds to the number of donations required to reach and maintain that level. We deep dive on levels here.
If you don’t keep up with your regular donations during your 30-day donation cycle, you'll move down a level. Don't worry, it's easy to level up.
Your donation payment is determined by both your level and your time slot. The higher your level, the more you'll earn at each donation. If you swipe through the "Levels" banner on your app home screen, you'll be able to see how much you can earn during each donation, 30-day cycle, and year.
A cycle is the 30-day window during which you can donate to maintain your current level. When you reach Level 1, following your first donation, your cycle will start on the next available donation date. This takes into account restrictions like the 1-day window in between donations and the maximum number of two donations you can schedule in a 7-day period. If you complete the maximum allowable donations during your cycle, a new cycle will begin.
There are five possible reasons why this may be happening:
- You’ve already scheduled 2 donations in a 7-day period.
- You’ve already scheduled the maximum number of allowable donations in your 30-day cycle. We outline this here.
- You’re attempting to book a donation outside of your 30-day cycle. You’ll need to wait until your new cycle begins in order to schedule a donation within that time frame.
- You’re trying to schedule a consecutive donation. You’ll need to allow for 1 day between donations because
- You’re currently deferred. A deferral is a temporary safety measure that may prevent you from donating for a day or sometimes longer, depending on the type of deferral.
If none of these apply to you and you’re still having trouble booking a donation, chat us in the app.
To change your account phone number, send us a message in the app with your new phone number or email us at support@joinparachute.com. We’ll be happy to make the switch for you. Please do not try to log into the app using your new phone number. This will not work.
Donor Eligibility
We get this question a lot. Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide a definitive list of medical conditions that may make someone ineligible for plasma donation. As part of our registration process, all new donors will go through a health screening where we will review their medical history and any medications they may currently be taking and administer a quick physical. Afterward, we will check their vitals (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and weight) to ensure it's safe to donate.
If you’re interested in donating and are uncertain if you’re eligible, we recommend coming in for an appointment or visiting our center to speak with our medical team in person.
Any individual questions regarding donor eligibility, including medications, medical conditions, or medical procedures should be directed to the Physician Substitute at your local Parachute center.
To donate at a Parachute center, donors must be in good general health, weigh between 110 – 400 lbs., and be between 18-64 years old.
“Good health” means that you feel well and can carry out normal daily activities. If you have a chronic medical condition, you may still be eligible as long as you are receiving treatment to control your condition.
At Parachute donors must be between 18-64 years old.
Yes, individuals who received one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines are eligible to donate.
You are not eligible for plasma donation during pregnancy.
Yes, as long as you are feeling well.
Appointments
Donations take about an hour. However, for your first donation, please allow for 3 hours because of the registration, health screening, vitals check, and physical, which are all required for new members.
You can arrive at any point during your 30-minute donation time slot. Keep in mind, if you arrive after your scheduled time slot you won't receive your time incentive bonus.
You can donate twice every 7 days with 1 day in between donations. It’s important to keep in mind that the two donations every 7 days rule does not follow a calendar week. Your donation count does not reset at the beginning of each calendar week.
Below are the 3 forms of identification you'll need to bring to your first appointment. Make sure to bring physical copies with you.
- Proof of Identification: A valid, unexpired photo ID with your legal name. We can accept a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, student ID, tribal-issued ID, military ID, or concealed carry ID. You must bring your physical ID with you. We aren't able to accept xeroxes or anything shown on a phone.
- Proof of Address: Documents must be dated within the past 60 days, match your legal name, and show proof of a local residential address within 125 miles of your Parachute center. Acceptable forms include a utility bill, cable bill, insurance statement, lease agreement, debit card bill, bank statement, paycheck stub, newspaper, magazine, greeting card, or other pieces of mail. In lieu of mail or a bill, we can also accept your most recent tax return. If your driver's license displays your current address, we're happy to accept this as well.
- Proof of Social Security Number: If you do not have access to your Social Security card we can accept a physical W-2 form, signed tax return, paycheck stub, or other tax documents showing your full name and entire SSN. You can also obtain Social Security number verification from your local Supplemental Security Income or Social Security office.
- Proof of Identification: A valid, unexpired photo ID with your legal name. We can accept a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, student ID, tribal-issued ID, military ID, or concealed carry ID. You must bring your physical ID with you. We aren't able to accept xeroxes or anything shown on a phone.
We require donors to bring physical copies of their proof of address. If you have any questions or need help printing your proof of address please email us at support@joinparachute.com.
As long as your driver’s license is valid and contains your full legal name, that is not a problem.
We are not able to accept temporary housing or hotels as an address. Parachute donors must provide proof of a local residential address within 125 miles of our center.
Unfortunately, we’re not allowed to have any children or any individuals under the age of 18 in our centers.
Donation
For return members, the donation process takes about an hour from start to finish. After you check in on a kiosk, you’ll begin your appointment with a simple health screening and vitals check. Afterward, a team member will guide you to the members' floor. For the next 40-60 minutes, you’ll sit back and relax as we do the rest. In addition to the steps above, new members will need to review some educational materials about the donation process and complete a physical.
If you’ve ever donated whole blood, it’s a similar process, except we use a specialized machine to collect your plasma. The plasmapheresis machine collects and separates your plasma from your red blood cells and platelets. Once the plasma is collected, the remaining parts of your blood are safely and gently returned to your body with a saline solution to help maintain hydration. After your donation, you'll receive an itemized breakdown of your donations stats and your payment will be automatically loaded onto your Parachute pay card.
Except for a slight sting when the needle is inserted, you should not experience any pain during the donation. Our team will be with you throughout your donation and will check in to make sure you’re comfortable.
Post-donation, your plasma is frozen to preserve its quality, tested, and then transferred to a fractionation facility. During fractionation, the plasma proteins are carefully extracted and turned into life-saving medicine for those who need it the most.
We’ll collect between 690-880 milliliters. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets these guidelines based on a donor's weight. So, generally speaking, the more you weigh, the more plasma we will collect. We do not compensate based on donation volume, so your weight will not have any impact on your payment.
Most donors feel perfectly fine after donating their donation. Some donors may experience slight dizziness, fatigue, or have bruising or soreness where the needle was inserted. Since plasma is about 90% water, it’s recommended to drink extra fluids in the 24-48 hours following your donation, as your body replenishes and recovers. Try to take it easy after your donation by avoiding any heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity.
- Check-in: When you arrive for your first visit a member of our team will greet you, review your 3 forms of identification, get you registered, and issue you a pay card.
- Health screening: You'll be asked to complete a health questionnaire where we will review your medical history and any medications you may currently be taking. Afterward, we will check your vitals (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and weight) and do a quick finger prick test to measure your hematocrit (the proportion of red blood cells in your blood) and total protein levels. Next, you'll watch a short video that explains the plasma donation process.
- Physical: One of our physicians will administer a quick physical to make sure you're feeling healthy and well before donating. You won’t receive a physical at every donation. It’s only required at your first visit, once a year thereafter, and if you haven't donated within a period of 180 days from your last physical.
- Check-in: When you arrive for your first visit a member of our team will greet you, review your 3 forms of identification, get you registered, and issue you a pay card.
During the vitals check, a technician will take your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, weight, and perform a quick finger prick test to measure your hematocrit (the proportion of red blood cells in your blood) and total protein levels.
The physical you’ll receive is an abbreviated version of what you may be used to getting from your primary care physician. It’ll be done in a private room and is to ensure that you’re in good health and are feeling well. We’ll check your basic motor skills; look at your ears, eyes, nose, and throat; listen to your heart rate; and look at your skin for any wounds or open sores.
The physical is required for your first donation, once a year thereafter, and if you haven't donated within a period of 180 days from your last physical.
Here are our tips to prepare for your donation:
- Drink plenty of water: Aim for 9-13 cups of water or juice the day before and day of your donation. On top of this amount, the American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounces, or two cups, right before your appointment.
- Eat a healthy meal: Eat a meal that’s rich in protein and iron within 2 hours of donating.
- Avoid consuming sodium-rich and fatty foods.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and tobacco.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up to your shoulder.
- Relax
Read more of our first-time donor tips here. if you feel sick, have a fever, or aren't in good health, please stay home and get well. We'll see you when you're feeling better.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
- Drink plenty of water: Aim for 9-13 cups of water or juice the day before and day of your donation. On top of this amount, the American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounces, or two cups, right before your appointment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires plasma donation centers to collect two separate donation samples so that they can be tested for safety before the plasma gets turned into medicine. We aren’t able to use a donation if we have only one sample, so that's why that second donation is so critical.
After the first donation, some donors may not be sure if it’s right for them. We can assure you that your second donation will go much quicker because you’ve already made it through the new member registration and health screening.
Payments
At your first visit, you’ll receive a pay card that has ATM access and can be used as a debit card. Your payment gets processed to your Parachute pay card as soon as your visit is complete. After your visit, an itemized receipt will pop up with a breakdown of your earnings. You'll also receive stats for that visit including donation time and volume donated.
The Join Parachute, LLC Visa® Prepaid Card is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa® U.S.A. Inc. Card can be used everywhere Visa® prepaid cards are accepted. Visa® is a registered trademark of Visa® U.S.A. Inc. All other trademarks and service marks belong to their respective owners.
Members can earn between $30-$40 as their donation base payment. Our app offers multiple ways to boost your earnings through challenges, referrals, and time incentive bonuses—bonuses for coming in when our center is less busy. The more flexible you can be with the time you select, the more you can earn. Donations are booked through our app and you’ll always see how much you’ll earn before your visit.
New members will receive a $25 bonus on their first donation and a $30 bonus on their second. Combined with your donation base payments and time incentive bonuses, this can add up to $130 just for making two donations.
3 things go into each donation payment:
- Base Payment: this is determined by your level. The higher your level, the more you'll earn at each donation.
- Time Incentives: monetary rewards for coming in at designated times. These higher value time slots will be marked with a flying dollar icon in the app. This is where flexibility is key. For example, if you only want to come in once per month, you can maximize your earnings by being strategic with the time slot you select.
- Power Ups: these include bonuses from referrals and challenges.
You can activate your card directly in the app or by dialing (940) 340-5674 and following the prompts.
App instructions:
- Tap “Payment” in the navigation bar.
- Tap the card activation widget at the top of the screen.
- Read and accept the cardholder agreement.
- Enter your 16-digit card number and 3-digit CVV, which can be found on the back of your card.
- Chose a 4-digit PIN and enter it on the screen.
- Woo-hoo! Your card is ready for use.
If you have any issues activating your card, chat us in the app or give us a call at (940) 340-5674.
You can view your card balance by tapping on the “Payments” icon in the navigation bar. Your card balance will be displayed on the top right corner of the card image. Please note that due to delays in merchant processing times, there may be a discrepancy between the amount shown in the app and the available balance. You can always call (940) 340-5674 for the most accurate card balance.
Chat us in the app or give us a call at (940) 340-5674 and we’ll issue a replacement.
You can set your pin by dialing (940) 340-5674 or by visiting the “Payment” section of the app.
App instructions:
- Tap “Manage” in the “Manage PIN for your card” widget.
- Enter and confirm your 4 digit PIN.
In order to dispute a transaction you will need to contact the merchant directly.
Your card may have been declined for a few reasons. Below are a few common reasons and how you can get it resolved.
- The charge amount exceeds the available balance.
- The transaction was declined due to a category or merchant restriction on your card. Restricted merchants include wire transfers, money orders, outbound telemarketing, securities brokers and dealers, dating & escort services, massage parlors, government-owned lotteries, government-licensed online casinos, online gambling, government-licensed horse/dog racing, betting, casinos, lotteries, Venmo, Cash App, Bitcoin, and Paypal.
- The card was used at a foreign merchant. Your card is valid in the U.S. only.
- The card was used for a recurring payment. Your card cannot be used for purchases where recurring payments may occur, such as subscriptions or memberships.
If you need any support with your card, you can always chat us in the app or give us a call at (940) 340-5674 and we'll be happy to assist you.
- The charge amount exceeds the available balance.
Not at this time. The only way funds that can be added to your card are your donation earnings.
No, you do not need to have a personal checking account. At your first visit, we’ll issue you a Visa pay card, which can be used as a debit card and has ATM access. Your donation compensation will be automatically loaded onto this card each time you donate.
We do not offer any payment incentives based on donation volume or a donor's weight.
Deferral
From time to time, you may see a banner pop up on your home screen stating that you have been deferred. A deferral is a safety measure that may prevent you from donating for 1 day, 6 months, 1 year, or in some cases, permanently. Deferrals can sometimes be resolved by incorporating some simple dietary or lifestyle changes or obtaining an authorization letter from your physician.
There are 2 types of deferrals:
- Permanent deferral: if you are permanently deferred, you will no longer be allowed to donate plasma at any location, not just Parachute. When you are flagged as a permanent deferral, you will be entered into the National Donor Deferral Registry (NDDR). This is an industry-wide database where every donor is checked to ensure they are eligible to donate.
- Temporary deferral: if you are temporarily deferred, you will be unable to donate for a period of time. Common reasons for a temporary deferral are if one of your vitals is out of range or if you’ve recently had surgery. Most temporary deferrals last for a day, but some can last up to 6 months or even indefinitely.
- Low Hematocrit: Symptoms of low hematocrit, which is sometimes called anemia, include tiredness, headaches, and shortness of breath. Low iron levels can be quite common, especially for women during menstruation. If your hematocrit is consistently low, we recommend consulting your doctor. They may suggest incorporating more iron-rich foods into your diet, such as beans, nuts, dark leafy greens, shellfish, lean red meat, and eggs, or taking iron and B-12 supplements.
- High Hematocrit: If your hematocrit is above range, certain lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and staying hydrated, can help lower high red blood cell counts.
- High Pulse: If you were rushing to get to your donation appointment, your pulse may be elevated. If you need a few minutes to collect yourself and get settled, just let a staff member know.
- High Blood Pressure
- Difficult Veins: If your veins are small, it may be difficult for the phlebotomist to locate the right spot to insert the needle. An easy way to help address this is to hydrate. In some cases, you may be told that you are not a good candidate for donation.
- Illness: Certain illnesses or medical conditions may make you ineligible for donation. For specific questions, we recommend coming in for your appointment and speaking with our on-site physician.
- Medication: Certain types of medication can disqualify you from donating for a period of time or permanently. For specific questions on how medications you may be taking could impact your eligibility, we recommend coming in for your appointment and speaking with our on-site physician.
- Low Hematocrit: Symptoms of low hematocrit, which is sometimes called anemia, include tiredness, headaches, and shortness of breath. Low iron levels can be quite common, especially for women during menstruation. If your hematocrit is consistently low, we recommend consulting your doctor. They may suggest incorporating more iron-rich foods into your diet, such as beans, nuts, dark leafy greens, shellfish, lean red meat, and eggs, or taking iron and B-12 supplements.
Chat us in the app. We’ll connect you with a team member who can advise further.
Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in your total blood volume. At every visit, we'll measure your hematocrit using a quick finger prick test. It’s important to measure your hematocrit because when you make a donation it temporarily removes red blood cells and iron from your body. We want to make sure you have enough red blood cells to donate safely.
To donate at Parachute, your hematocrit must be within the below ranges:
- Males: 39% - 54%
- Females: 38% - 54%
- Iron deficiency from a low-iron diet.
- Iron deficiency from menstrual blood loss.
- Vitamin deficiency from a diet low in folate, vitamin B6, or vitamin B12.
- Recent or long-term blood loss from surgery, injury, or certain types of cancer.
Locations
Yes! Keep an eye here for information about future center locations.
Account Deletion
We're sorry to see you go. Please note that account deletions are permanent and you will not be able to use your phone number to create an account going forward.
If you're an existing member and would like to update your phone number, we'd be happy to assist you with this. Please chat us using the button below and provide your first name, last name, and the original phone number associated with your profile.
If you're requesting to delete your account in order to use a referral link, keep in mind that you will not be able to use your current phone number in our app going forward.