THUNDER BAY - Canadian Blood Services celebrated the grand opening of its plasma centre in Thunder Bay last week.
The centre collects plasma for transfusions, and the extracted immunoglobulins are used for life-saving medications.
“The community is just so supportive and welcoming to us but donating plasma is very important now because they make medications out of it and uses for those medications are increasing every day,” said Jennifer Rose, community development manager for Canadian Blood Services.
Lauren Murray, an Ottawa resident and communications manager for the Canadian Institute of Planners, started medication made from plasma donations when she was diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).
“I was happy to come up here and support the opening of the centre, I am reliant on IVIG - intravenous immunoglobulin which is made from plasma donations,” said Murray
Murray has to get lengthy transfusions done every four to five weeks to manage her condition.
Blood Services Canada says with the rising demand for plasma, they are encouraging people to donate when they can.
“We're right now bringing in about 70 per cent from outside markets, mostly the U.S.,and we'd really like to bring the number up inside Canada so we're more self-reliant,” said Rose.
Thunder Bay's Nicholas Collings, a carpentry apprentice and the centre's first donor, is proud to hlep meet the demand.
“My buddy has Crohn's, so I donated for him because he took plasma,” said Collings
The plasma donation centre is thrilled with the amount of people coming into donate, and hopes to continue seeing the numbers rise.
“Donations like this make those things possible for people like me, it's essential, and I hope people take the time to do it,” said Murray.
Detailed information on eligibility and where to donate plasma is available from Blood Services Canada or by calling 1 888-236-6283.
