Last year, people in the U.S. made an estimated $4.7 billion selling their plasma. Donation centers are popping up in middle-class neighborhoods, including suburban strip malls and college towns.

With rising rent, utilities and the cost of groceries, a growing number of people are selling their blood plasma to make extra money. It's a multi-billion dollar industry. The rising cost of living ...

When you’re financially strapped, selling plasma can be an appealing option to drum up some quick cash. Pharmaceutical companies often pay around $50 per donation for the pale-yellow blood component, ...

A medical provider holds a bag of plasma. A medical provider holds a bag of plasma.Nadya Tkach—Getty Images Reporter Catherine Rolfes was between jobs and starting to think about how to make some ...