Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Wednesday, January 21, 1998

Blood plasma firm bars
'derelicts' from donating

My son went to Sera-Tec Biologicals, a company that buys plasma. But he said he saw people there giving plasma who looked like derelicts. So he walked out. How safe is the plasma? What kind of screening do they have?

Sera-Tec is licensed and regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration, the same agency that oversees the Blood Bank of Hawaii.

"We are probably more regulated because of the nature of our business. We're not a nonprofit -- we operate for profit," said Sera-Tec director Joe Pelot.

"Because we periodically get people in who are low-income, they may not be dressed in suits and ties and they might appear as poor," he said. "But it is not our policy" to buy plasma from "derelicts." He also said the company will not knowingly accept anyone who is homeless.

Among the requirements to give plasma at Sera-Tec, Pelot said, are that you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, never had any blood-borne disease, have adequate veins, and go through a screening process, which includes physical exams.

Donating plasma takes much longer than donating whole blood, Pelot said. The process for brand new donors takes 2 to 21/2 hours; repeat donors, about 45 minutes.

Also, unlike donating whole blood, plasma donors can donate a maximum two times in a seven-day period, though not on consecutive days. The recovery period isn't six to eight weeks as it is in giving whole blood, Pelot said.

Sera-Tec pays $15 per donation; $20 for the second donation within seven days; plus bonus fees for new donors. "We pay donors for the inconvenience of donating plasma," Pelot said. "We pay close to a half-million dollars a year in donor fees."

The local Sera-Tec facility sends all its plasma to the mainland, to Baxter Health Care Corp., which makes pharmaceutical products out of plasma.

Sera-Tec, at 3179 Koapaka St., has been in operation since January 1993. Before that, it was the Plasma Donor Center of Hawaii and, before that, Alpha Therapeutic Corp.

"We are not in competition with the Blood Bank," Pelot said. "There's a huge need for blood out there. But for those people who feel they can go through a longer process, we will monetarily compensate them for their extra time."

If you have concerns about any blood donor operation, call the local FDA office at 541-2662.

My 16-year-old son and a friend will be attending the Rolling Stones concert on Friday. He doesn't drive so I will be dropping him off and picking him up. How does Aloha Stadium handle drop-offs and pickups?

You have to make your own arrangements as to where to drop off and pick up your son, said Scott Chan, the stadium's assistant events manager. "There is no designated area."

Also, you have to pay the parking fee when you enter. Ask for a refund stub. You have a 20-minute grace period in which to receive a refund -- given only at the main gate on Salt Lake Boulevard, Chan said.

Beanie Babies

I'm looking for a club for Beanie Babies or to set one up. Call Judy, pager 846-2942.

Auwe

To the mason operating in Kaneohe and Kailua, who starts a job then leaves it incomplete. He promised to build me a wall in two weeks and began by grading the property and digging the footing. Then he wanted more money to purchase rocks, cement and sand. I gave him the money but he never showed up after that. I called the state Office of Consumer Affairs and found out his license was false. I know of three-four other people in Keolu Hills who have also been taken by this guy. Homeowners, take heed.