In the USA, the ongoing inflation has serious consequences: Due to the high prices for food, housing, energy and health insurance, desperate Americans are trying to make ends meet with two full-time jobs. Some even sell their blood plasma or egg cells.
Nearly half a million people worked two full-time jobs simultaneously to supplement their incomes in September, according to data from the US Department of Labor. Almost eight million Americans currently hold two jobs or more. Nevertheless, the money is not enough for many. Apparently, more and more people are being forced to take drastic measures: Many are now selling their blood plasma every week.
Fertility clinics offer young women money for their eggs on social networks. The compensation for this: up to 30,000 dollars. In addition to the payment, the feeling of helping other people also creates emotional fulfillment, according to the advertising of fertility centers.
“I’m constantly exhausted,” Cashe Lewis told the Guardian newspaper. During the day, the 31-year-old stands behind the counter of a café chain in Denver (Colorado). After eight hours in a café, her night shift begins at a gas station shop. She often works in two shifts, 16 hours a day, six days a week.
She is no exception. According to statistics from the US Department of Labor, more than 400,000 Americans currently have two full-time jobs. Officially, almost five percent of all employees currently have two jobs or more. However, authorities estimate the number of unreported cases to be much higher.
Lewis’ friends and family also have multiple jobs, she says. “This is not life, it is survival. But we have no choice but to keep going.”
She is currently looking for a third job to meet the recent $200 monthly rent increase on her apartment. “On my only day off I now donate blood plasma for a fee. I’m actually selling my blood because I have no choice.”
According to the latest studies by the money saver portal “Savings.com”, 13 percent of all respondents are currently considering selling their blood plasma in order to increase their monthly income. And three percent of all survey participants stated that they had already done so.
Around $20 to $50 per blood plasma donation is paid to donors at medical facilities — in some centers they can be financially compensated up to twice a week. “Interested in donating? Become a hero and unleash your plasma potential,” the BioLife Plasma Service company advertises on social media. “Newcomers can earn up to $975!”
Donating egg cells is far more lucrative: “Help others with their family planning! Become a Fairfax EggBank donor and receive up to $30,000,” reads an advertisement for an egg bank aimed at women between the ages of 21 and 34. Other websites lure young women with the “unique opportunity to fulfill the dreams of others In return, they are promised “between eight and ten thousand dollars per ovulation, in special cases more”.
“I had to pay the rent,” Alaina Demopoulos told women’s magazine Allure. “When I saw an advertisement that I was making more money than I normally would in three months with an egg donation, my decision was made.”
Kia Brown also decided to take this step years ago. Before that, she had two jobs: as a waitress in a bar and as a helper at an airport, she felt constantly stressed, she revealed on the US broadcaster CNBC. Brown received a total of $18,000 for two egg donations. “It has helped me tremendously financially and reduced my stress levels.”
And that despite the fact that the preparations for an egg cell donation are difficult. Genetic and psychological tests are followed by numerous blood tests. Before ovulation, the donor has to inject hormones every day for two weeks to stimulate egg production. Brown “hated the feeling in his stomach.” According to Demopoulos, the hormones were making her “an emotional wreck.” Nevertheless, both described the process as satisfying – their payments as reasonable and fair.
Energy has never been as expensive as it is now. But instead of panicking, you should calmly check potential savings at home. As our guide shows, there are many of them.
These financial incentives could now lead to an increase in egg donors. Official data are not yet available. But some experts suspect that the number of young women who want to earn more money in this way in the current economically uncertain times will grow.
This prognosis should be right for the countless US fertility centers: According to the latest data analyses, their business is expected to increase to 41 billion dollars in the coming years. The fertility treatment business is booming – inflation or not.
