THUNDER BAY — Thirteen years after the closure of the city's plasma donation centre, the doors are opening on a new centre.
On Wednesday, Canadian Blood Services is holding a grand opening the new Thunder Centre location.
“When I heard about the plasma centre coming back, I thought well, this is my way that I can start donating and give something back to our beleaguered health system. Which is still the best,” said Dougall Media's director of radio news Bryan Wyatt, who was among the first local residents to donate plasma at the new centre.
“My family, myself, we've had many medical situations over the last number of years, over our lifetime,” said Wyatt.
The new plasma centre is the only Canadian Blood Service donation centre in Northwestern Ontario. The next closest locations are in Winnipeg and Sudbury.
Michelle Premack, a Dryden resident said she will be donating at the Thunder Bay location.
“I saw this and I thought, wow. It's perfect,” Premack added.
Canadian Blood Services says that collecting plasma ensures patients can continue to have access to the medications they depend on.
They have invited one such patient, Lauren Murray of Ottawa, to speak at the grand opening.
“Lauren experienced cramping and muscle weakness in her hands for nine months before being diagnosed in her mid-twenties with multifocal motor neuropathy,” says Blood Services Canada.
Three years later, Lauren is thriving from plasma donations. Bi-weekly immunoglobulin injections make daily tasks like dishes, locking the front door, and playing video games with her little brother possible according to a news release.
“Donating plasma helps save and improve lives locally and across Canada. More than half (55 per cent) of your blood is plasma. It protects your body from illness, infection and excessive bleeding,” added Canadian Blood Services.
Canadian Blood Services says “donating plasma helps save and improve lives locally and across Canada.”
Detailed information on eligibility and where to donate plasma is available from Blood Services Canada or by calling 1 888-236-6283
