Vaughan plasma donor centre will add whole-blood donations on Jan. 27

Starting Jan. 27, the Vaughan plasma donor centre operated by Canadian Blood Services will offer whole-blood donations alongside plasma and will hold a launch event the same day with food, games and prizes.

Starting Jan. 27, the Vaughan plasma donor centre will begin taking whole-blood donations as well as plasma. The clinic is run by Canadian Blood Services and opened in 2023 as a plasma-only site. The expansion is being made amid growing national demand for blood products and plasma-derived immunoglobulins. The centre will mark the change with a launch event that includes food, games and prizes. Key details: - Donors will be able to choose whole blood or plasma starting Jan. 27 at the Vaughan clinic. - A launch event with food, games and prizes is scheduled for the same day. - The clinic opened in 2023 and had previously operated as a plasma-only donor centre. - Canadian Blood Services has said Canada needs one million new donors by 2030 and that plasma donations need to double in the next five years. - The organization reports that national demand for plasma is roughly four times current collection levels and that more than 70% of immunoglobulins used in Canada come from international sources. - Fewer than two percent of eligible Canadians were donating, and staff noted winter conditions can make plasma collection more difficult. Summary: The Vaughan site will add whole-blood beds at a busy plaza location, and the immediate next step is the Jan. 27 launch and start of whole-blood collections. Canadian Blood Services has described broader, longer-term needs for many more donors and increased plasma collection to meet patient demand.