Highest-Paying Donation

Leukopak Donations:
Earn $400–$650

A leukopak collects concentrated white blood cells via apheresis — and researchers pay top dollar for them.

What Is a Leukopak?

A leukopak in plain language.

A leukopak (short for "leukocyte pack") is a concentrated collection of your white blood cells — far more than what a standard blood draw captures.

Instead of drawing a tube of blood and discarding most of it, an apheresis machine continuously draws your blood, separates the white blood cells, and returns everything else (red cells, plasma, platelets) back to your body.

The result: a dense, concentrated sample of your immune cells — T-cells, B-cells, NK cells, monocytes — in quantities that standard draws can't match. This is exactly what makes leukopaks so valuable to researchers.

Why Researchers Pay Premium

White blood cells are the currency of immunology research.

Your white blood cells are the front line of your immune system. T-cells, B-cells, and NK (natural killer) cells are exactly what researchers need to develop the next generation of medicine.


Leukopak specimens are used in:


CAR-T therapy development — Engineering a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer. This technology is rewriting how we treat blood cancers, and it requires massive quantities of white blood cells to develop.


Cancer immunology — Understanding how tumors evade the immune system and developing drugs that restore the body's ability to fight back.


Autoimmune research — Studying why the immune system attacks the body's own tissues in conditions like lupus, MS, and rheumatoid arthritis.


Vaccine development — Testing how immune cells respond to new vaccine candidates before they enter clinical trials.


A single leukopak can provide enough cells for an entire research program. That's why researchers are willing to pay $400–$650 per donation.

The Process

Four steps from screening to payment.

1
Screen
Standard blood draw to check your white blood cell count and cell profile.
2
Qualify
If your WBC count qualifies, you're scheduled for apheresis at a partner site.
3
Donate
2–4 hour apheresis session. Blood drawn from one arm, white cells separated, red cells returned.
4
Get Paid
$400–$650 processed within 3–7 business days via ACH or digital wallet.

Who Qualifies?

Leukopak eligibility depends on your health profile and cell count.

Donors with Conditions

Autoimmune, cancer, HIV donors are in highest demand. Your disease-state immune cells are exactly what many studies need.

Healthy Donors

Healthy volunteers with high white blood cell counts also qualify. Your cells serve as controls for disease research.

Age & Weight

Must be 18+ years old and weigh at least 110 lbs. Standard safety requirements for apheresis.

Cell Count Matters

Your screening blood draw determines if your white blood cell count is sufficient. Not everyone qualifies on the first try.

Leukopak FAQs

Does apheresis hurt?
No more than a standard blood draw. You'll feel the needle insertion, then nothing. Most donors watch TV, read, or nap during the 2–4 hour session. The apheresis machine does all the work.
How often can I donate a leukopak?
Every 4–8 weeks, depending on the study protocol and your white blood cell recovery. Your Helio coordinator will work with you to establish a safe, sustainable schedule.
Can I donate if I'm on medications?
Most medications are fine. Some studies have specific requirements — for example, immunosuppressants may affect certain research protocols. Your coordinator will review your medication list during screening.
How long does the whole process take?
Including check-in, setup, the apheresis session itself, and post-donation monitoring, plan for 3–5 hours total. The actual collection is 2–4 hours.
What if my cell count is too low?
You'll still qualify for standard blood donation at regular pay ($50–$200 depending on your health profile). Many donors start with standard draws and qualify for leukopak later as their profile develops.

See If You Qualify for Leukopak

Sign up in minutes. Your screening blood draw tells us if you're a match for the highest-paying research donations.

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