INTRODUCING CellSEP: Helping Researchers and Donors Connect
Being a Part of a Research Study
When you join CellSEP as a donor, you become a study participant. This means that your participation is voluntary, and you can choose to stop at any time. Our clinical staff may also decide that your participation is no longer suitable for certain studies. But don't worry, we have an Independent Review Board that makes sure your rights and well-being are protected.
Why Haven't You Heard of CellSEP Before?
Donating blood for research has been happening for a long time, but CellSEP has been doing it for 14 years! We have perfected the donation experience, always putting our donors first. We make sure you understand the process and feel comfortable every step of the way. Your consent is important to us, and we want you to have a clear understanding of what it means to donate with CellSEP.
How to Become a Donor
Joining us as a donor is super easy! Just follow these 5 steps:
1. Complete the online screening form.
2. Come in for an on-site screening.
3. Donate!
4. Receive your compensation.
5. Donate again!
Will Anything Disqualify Me?
Don't worry! Things like smoking, tattoos, piercings, travel, and lifestyle choices usually don't automatically disqualify you from donating. Most of our research collections can accept donors with these factors.
Walk-ins Not Available
Unfortunately, we don't accept walk-in appointments at the moment. You need to complete the online screening form before coming in for your on-site screening. This step helps us determine if you meet our initial requirements for scheduling an appointment. The form is simple and only takes about 5-10 minutes to fill out. Your information is always kept confidential and will only be used within CellSEP. Remember, only one screening form can be accepted from each potential donor.
We hope this warm and friendly explanation helps you understand what CellSEP does and how you can become a part of our important research studies. Thank you for considering joining us in our mission to make the world a healthier place!
I HAVE DONATED ELSEWHERE
How is CellSEP different from donating at a blood bank or a plasma donation center?
Research studies, like CellSEP, have different requirements compared to plasma facilities or blood banks. As a participant in a study, you need to be able to complete all the steps of the screening and donation process on your own. This may include walking through our lobby, getting your height and weight measured, and sitting in a comfortable chair for your clinical assessment and blood draw. Before you can donate, you must go through our screening process and be accepted into our program!
I recently donated blood/plasma/platelets elsewhere. Can I donate now?
No, you need to wait for 8 weeks after your last donation before you can come to CellSEP for a new donor screening. If you need to reschedule, please use this link to reach us.
I'm a regular plasma donor. Can I make plasma donations between donations at CellSEP?
It's very important to prioritize safety when donating blood or cells. Donating with multiple organizations can be risky and may result in giving more blood or cells than is safe. We don't share donor information with other donation facilities due to privacy laws. So, if you are enrolled in our program at CellSEP, we kindly ask you to refrain from donating blood or any blood products to other collection facilities. If we find out that a donor is donating elsewhere while enrolled in our program, it will lead to permanent disqualification from CellSEP.
I JUST SIGNED UP
What happens after I complete the screening form?
We're excited that you signed up for our program! After you complete the screening form, we will review it on the next business day. If you meet the requirements, we will reach out to you to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions or need help scheduling, you can email our recruiters at studysupport@cellseplabs.com. They will be happy to assist you!
What to expect during your on-site screening
When you come for your on-site screening, we will ask you to arrive 15 minutes early. This will give you enough time to fill out some paperwork. Then, our friendly staff will measure your weight, height, and vital signs. They will also take a small sample of your blood to conduct some tests. We will discuss the different donation options and see which ones you qualify for. Don't worry if you don't qualify for all of them, it just means you don't meet the requirements for some studies. Remember to drink plenty of water to increase your chances of qualifying!
How long does the screening appointment take?
Your first screening appointment will take a little over an hour. If you need to come for re-screening, it will take about 60 minutes. You will need to do a re-screening every 3 months to make sure you are still eligible for the program. Don't worry, we will send you a reminder email when it's time for your re-screening!
Why wasn't I accepted after filling out the online form?
There are many reasons why someone may not be accepted as a donor. It could be because of your medical history, the medications you're currently taking, your weight, or other factors we consider. Our online form is designed to make sure our donors are safe and that we provide high-quality products for researchers. Sometimes, it's a combination of reasons why you may not be accepted. Please don't submit more than one screening form.
Can I retake the online questionnaire if I didn't meet the requirements?
No, you don't need to retake the questionnaire. Once you've completed it, you can't do it again. If you made a mistake or need to reach out to us, you can fill out this form https://www.CellSEPlabs.com/contact-us/ and we will follow up with you.
Why do I need to live within an hour of one of your facilities?
Being close to our facilities is important because our program requires regular visits. It's important to arrive on time, especially for early morning appointments.
How and when will I be compensated?
We will compensate you with Visa debit cards. After your first screening, you will receive your compensation card at our front desk. Remember to register your card on the website provided. You can use the card to make purchases online or in-person, transfer the money to your bank account, or withdraw cash from an ATM (with some fees). To transfer the balance to your bank account, visit www.PrepaidCardStatus.com, select "Card Action," and click on "Transfer to Bank." It may take 2-3 days for the transfer to process, and a $1.50 fee (or as listed) will apply.
How much will I be compensated?
The amount of compensation you receive depends on the donation types you qualify for. During your on-site screening, our clinical staff will assess which donation types you are eligible for. Not everyone qualifies for all donation types. The compensation rates vary and are based on the time and effort required for each donation type. You can find more information about the donation options for each location on our website.
Will I be notified if I have a positive blood test?
The blood tests we conduct are used for screening purposes only, not for diagnosing any conditions. If we find anything during the tests, our medical staff will give you a call. They will recommend that you follow up with your own healthcare provider for further evaluation and advice.
I COMPLETED MY ON-SITE SCREENING
Appointment Availability:
You may be able to get your first donation appointment within 1-2 weeks after completing your on-site screening. Researchers ask for donations every day, so we will contact you when there is a match for your profile. Please make sure to answer our texts and calls!
Driving Yourself Home:
Yes, you can drive yourself home after any type of collection.
How Many Donations in One Visit?
Usually, we can only accept one donation per visit. However, there may be cases where we ask for a whole blood donation along with other scheduled donations on the same day.
How Often Can I Donate?
The frequency of donation depends on the type of donation you choose. Each type has a waiting period to ensure your safety. This waiting period is called a deferral period.
For Whole Blood, you need to wait 8 weeks (56 days) after donating 520mL. There is no waiting period between donations until you reach 520mL.
For White Blood Cells, you need to wait 2 months (60 days) after a full collection.
For Mobilized White Blood Cells, you need to wait 6 months (182 days) between collections.
If you want to donate again or haven't heard from us in a while, please fill out our "I want to donate again" form.