Pam Jensen: plasma donation no donation at all

The article in last week's Racquet about "donating" plasma begs a response.  There are at least 13 uses of the words "donate" or "donor" in the article, along with several references to "getting paid" for the so-called donation, sometimes even in the same sentence.  A donation is an act one performs or a gift one gives FREELY, without receiving anything in return.  Those who are clients of the plasma centers are not "donors", despite what the advertisements say.   While the business being conducted at the plasma center is certainly legal and undoubtedly safe, the clients are not DONATING anything, but rather are SELLING their blood products.  Persons who are interesting in really "donating" blood components for the benefit of others can do so by becoming a donor at the various local mobile blood collection events sponsored by the American Red Cross or the Blood Center of Wisconsin.  No compensation will be received by the donor  but the  various blood products collected are those that are used exclusively  by our local hospitals and  also by hospitals throughout our region and country.  Thank you!