Lethbridge plasma centre looking for new donors

Canadian Blood Services has put out a dire call for new and returning blood, platelets, and plasma donors to support patients during the Omicron wave. The organization says one in two people in Canada are eligible to donate blood, plasma, and platelets. But only one in 81 does. Donors at the Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre are able to give plasma frequently. Men can donate every week and women are able to give every two weeks. Staff say the need is great.

“We have seen all across Canada a very high need right now for all Canadian Blood Services products. Plasma, blood, and platelets. Here in Lethbridge the need is also very high. We have about 250 open appointments just this week, and over 1,000 appointments for the month of February. We have seen a rise in either people cancelling their appointments, or having less donors here at the centre. We know that we have a small group of very dedicated and generous donors here in Lethbridge. But we are hoping to bring in a lot of new donors as well,” said Brenna Scott, the Business Development Manager for the Lethbridge plasma centre.

The process to give plasma takes around 45 minutes. During the past year, the centre has seen over 3,000 people come in to donate plasma.

You can book a plasma donation by visiting https://www.blood.ca/en/plasma/donating-plasma/where-donate-plasma/lethbridge-plasma-donor-centre