Your plasma donation could empower a community.
Sabrina's story
Plasma donations have made all the difference to Sabrina, who honours her plasma donors by saving bottle caps from the immunoglobulin treatments they’ve made possible.
Every month, Sabrina Cannella receives three bottles of a clear liquid medication that looks much like any other product you’d see on a hospital IV pole. Yet each bottle is made from a process that pools plasma — the straw-coloured component of blood that makes up most of its volume — from thousands of different donors.
Want to know how you can make all the difference by donating plasma?
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What is plasma?
More than half (55 per cent) of the blood flowing through your veins is actually plasma. Plasma supports your immune system and helps other blood components (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) circulate through your body. This protein-rich, pale-yellow fluid has earned its nickname “liquid gold” because it can be transfused directly into patients in urgent situations, such as severe infection and excessive bleeding, or it can be manufactured into medications, like immunoglobulins.
Thousands of patients in Canada depend on immunoglobulins to treat primary and secondary immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, and other diseases with an immune origin. Immunoglobulins are the most widely used medication made from plasma and demand for these lifesaving medications is growing in Canada and around the world.
We need you to donate
The need for plasma is more than 4 times what we currently collect in Canada. Thousands of patients across the country need plasma for various medical therapies. Some of these patients will require medications made from plasma for the rest of their lives, with no other treatment options available.
Learn more about the impact of plasma donation
Donate plasma in 8 easy steps
What's the plasma donation process like?
The process for donating plasma is similar to donating blood. The main difference between them is how they are collected. During a plasma donation, we separate the blood components through a process called apheresis so that we collect only plasma from you. The rest of your blood (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) is then returned to you as you donate.
Am I eligible to donate plasma?
Any person in general good health, who meets our eligibility criteria, may donate plasma as often as once a week. All blood types are needed. You can donate plasma if you:
- Weigh over 50kg (110 lb.)
- Are in general good health
- Are 17 years of age or older
- Meet the eligibility criteria
Can I donate plasma if I have traveled to or lived in a malaria risk area or have history of malaria?
You may be able to donate. Donated plasma is manufactured into specialized medications and during this process, pathogens in the plasma are eliminated.
Where to donate plasma?
Kelowna plasma donor centre
Thunder Bay plasma donor centre
Opening early 2025
369 Main St - Unit C9, Thunder Bay,
ON, P7B 5L6
