With the holidays coming up, Canadian Blood Services is asking more people in Thunder Bay to donate plasma to help meet growing demand across Canada.
Plasma is the liquid part of blood and is used to make important medicines, including immunoglobulins that treat more than 80 diseases. Jennifer Rose, who works with Canadian Blood Services in northern Ontario, calls plasma “liquid gold” because it carries proteins that help protect the body.
Right now, more than 70 per cent of the immunoglobulins used in Canada come from other countries, mostly the United States. Rose says Canada needs to collect more plasma at home to avoid relying on global supplies, which have faced shortages in recent years.
There are 13 plasma donation centres in Ontario, including two in the north — Sudbury and Thunder Bay. The Thunder Bay site opened in April and collects only plasma, not blood. Rose says staff hope more people will donate over the busy holiday season.
Most plasma donors give regularly, and some come in every week. But Canadian Blood Services says more new donors are needed.
Donating plasma works a lot like giving blood. After a short health check, a machine separates the plasma and returns the rest of the blood to the donor. Rose says it’s important to drink water and eat before donating — and staff even offer salty snacks to help the process.
All plasma collected in Canada goes into a national supply and can be stored longer than blood. Rose says many donors feel good knowing they’re helping others.
“This time of year, people wish each other good health,” she said. “Donating plasma is a way to give that gift.”
