Plasma
for Life
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What is plasma?
Plasma is the protein-rich liquid in blood that helps other blood components circulate throughout your body. It supports your immune system and helps control excessive bleeding, which is why plasma donations are important to help treat bleeding disorders, liver diseases and many types of cancer. To help you understand what plasma does and why it’s needed, watch this introductory video.
Donating plasma
Any healthy person who meets our eligibility criteria can donate plasma as frequently as every seven days. To become a plasma donor, having a history of making regular blood donations helps, but is not always necessary.
If your blood type is O-negative (O-), you are a universal red blood cell donor and we encourage you to make whole blood donations instead.
Donors who are temporarily deferred from donating blood due to their recent travel history outside of Canada may be eligible to donate plasma.
Call 1-888 2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283) to discuss eligibility and to book an appointment.
How plasma donation works
The process for donating plasma is largely the same as for whole blood donation. It includes registration, screening, donation and post-donation care. Although some aspects of the plasma screening process may be slightly different, the donation experience will be familiar to blood donors.
If you are interested in donating plasma, we encourage you to book an appointment. Based on your eligibility to donate, and the availability of plasma collection at your closest local donation site, you will be contributing to one of several plasma collection methods:
- recovered plasma: where plasma is separated after a whole blood donation
- apheresis: where the plasma is separated during donation so that red and white blood cells, as well as the platelets, can be put back
It takes as many as four whole blood donations to collect enough plasma for a single plasma treatment. Plasma collected through apheresis is often more efficient, since it is possible to collect a greater volume at each donation from certain donors.
Some of the donated plasma we collect is used to meet the transfusion needs of Canadian patients in hospital. Some of it goes to manufacturers for processing into the life-saving drugs used to treat patients in Canada who suffer from a variety of rare, life-threatening, chronic and genetic conditions.
Find a donor centre
Calgary
Location
Eau Claire Market Mall 200 Barclay Parade SW, Unit #10CalgaryAB
T2P 4R5
*The clinic location is Eau Claire Market, Unit # 10, 2nd Floor, across from Theatres. Donor Parking – Underground access via 2nd Street SW. 20 designated spots for donors, if those are full park anywhere underground and come to the clinic to validate your parking
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 7:00 am - 6:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:00 am - 6:30 pm |
| Thursday | 2:00 pm - 6:45 pm |
| Friday | 7:00 am - 1:00 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
Large volume source plasma weight/height requirements
Female
Height (cm) | Minimum weight (kg) |
< 145 | Not eligible |
145 - 149 | 76 |
150 - 154 | 74 |
155 - 159 | 70 |
160 - 164 | 66 |
165 - 169 | 62 |
170 - 174 | 56 |
175 - 179 | 52 |
180 or more | 50 |
Height and weight: For partial values, round down to the closest whole number.
Note : Final eligibility will be determined by height and weight taken at the clinic.Male
Height (cm) | Minimum weight (kg) |
< 145 | Not eligible |
145 - 149 | 64 |
150 - 154 | 60 |
155 - 159 | 56 |
160 - 164 | 52 |
165 or more | 50 |
Height and weight: For partial values, round down to the closest whole number.
Note : Final eligibility will be determined by height and weight taken at the clinic.Charlottetown
Location
85 Fitzroy StreetCharlottetownPE
C1A 1R6
Located at 85 Fitzroy Street in Charlottetown between University Avenue and Queen Street. Use front entrance doors off Fitzroy Street. Clinic is on main floor.
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 8:40 am - 1:55 pm |
| Wednesday | 3:00 pm - 6:55 pm |
| Thursday | 8:40 am - 1:55 pm |
| Friday | 2:00 pm - 5:55 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
Edmonton
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:00 am - 1:00 pm |
| 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm | |
| Thursday | 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
Halifax
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:30 pm - 7:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00 am - 10:20 am |
| 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm | |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 8:00 am - 11:10 am |
| Friday | 8:00 am - 11:10 am |
| Saturday | Closed |
London
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7:00 am - 1:00 pm |
| Friday | 7:00 am - 1:00 pm |
| Saturday | 7:00 am - 10:30 am |
Large volume source plasma weight/height requirements
Female
Height (cm) | Minimum weight (kg) |
< 145 | Not eligible |
145 - 149 | 76 |
150 - 154 | 74 |
155 - 159 | 70 |
160 - 164 | 66 |
165 - 169 | 62 |
170 - 174 | 56 |
175 - 179 | 52 |
180 or more | 50 |
Height and weight: For partial values, round down to the closest whole number.
Note : Final eligibility will be determined by height and weight taken at the clinic.Male
Height (cm) | Minimum weight (kg) |
< 145 | Not eligible |
145 - 149 | 64 |
150 - 154 | 60 |
155 - 159 | 56 |
160 - 164 | 52 |
165 or more | 50 |
Height and weight: For partial values, round down to the closest whole number.
Note : Final eligibility will be determined by height and weight taken at the clinic.Saint John
Location
405 University AvenueSaint JohnNB
E2L 4G7
On University Avenue across from the Saint John Regional Hospital
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 8:15 am - 7:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:15 am - 7:00 pm |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
St. John's
Location
7 Wicklow StreetSt. John'sNL
A1B 3Z9
Intersection off Prince Philip Drive, Intersection between the Health Sciences Hospital and Thorburn Road (Avalon Mall), CBS Building on the Corner of the Intersection.
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm - 3:25 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm - 6:55 pm |
| Thursday | 1:10 pm - 6:55 pm |
| Friday | 8:00 am - 1:45 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
Impact of plasma donations
Your donated plasma touches the lives and families of thousands of patients who require life-saving therapies and treatments made from plasma-derived protein products. The plasma we collect goes to patients who need transfusions, as well as to fractionators for manufacturing specialized medicines needed by Canadians with conditions such as bleeding disorders, burns and immunodeficiency.
Plasma sufficiency
As part of our role, Canadian Blood Services is responsible for monitoring the amount of human plasma available to meet the needs of Canadian patients. For some time, we have been seeing a steady increase in the use of and demand for plasma-derived products in Canada and around the globe. By increasing the amount of raw material (source plasma) we collect from donors through our existing infrastructure, as well as making plans to collect more in the future, we are striking the right balance for Canadian patients. We do not plan to pursue 100% sufficiency of supply. In the Canadian context, we believe security of supply requires diversity of supply.
FAQs
How often can I donate plasma?
You can donate as often as once a week, though if you’re a new plasma donor we recommend starting at once a month.
How long does it take to donate plasma?
Each plasma donation appointment takes about an hour and a half. The apheresis collection is approximately 35 to 45 minutes.
What if I am not eligible to donate plasma?
Every donation that helps save lives is valuable. Blood is just as important as plasma. We appreciate your generosity and commitment in whatever form you’re able to give. Visit our ways to donate section to learn more.
How can I find more information about the dedicated source plasma sites?
For more information on the three dedicated source plasma sites, please email us.