November 28, 2019

Paying plasma donors in Canada is a contentious issue that has raised concerns and given rise to fierce debate for quite some time now. Despite a large number of ethicists, economists, and medical professionals publicly supporting paid plasma donations, there are a small percentage of Canadians that still question the practice and its legitimacy.  In today’s blog, we’ll be debunking common misconceptions about paid plasma donations and unpacking all the reasons that compensating donors is important.

Donor Appreciation

First and foremost, paying plasma donors is a great way to show your appreciation for their time and effort. Plasma donation is a process that takes anywhere from one and a half hours to over two hours to complete, depending on how many donations you’ve made in the past. This time commitment in addition to the temporary discomfort that can come from blood plasma being drawn makes donors more than deserving of economic consideration. Paid plasma donation also provides donors with additional remuneration that enables them to live much more comfortably.

Boosting Donations

In Canada, we don’t have nearly as many plasma donors as we need to meet the demand for plasma, and we largely rely on paid donors from the United States to make the lifesaving therapies that patients need. Compensating donors is pretty much the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma and the world’s largest exporters of plasma, the US and Germany, are both countries that have legislation permitting plasma donors to be compensated. Evidently, paid plasma donations give plasma donors the extra motivation they need to continue donating, which in turn increases and secures the plasma supply for patients who need it.

A Safe Supply

Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, paid plasma donations are just, if not more,  safe than unpaid donations. All paid plasma donors must undergo rigorous screenings and regular blood tests to ensure tainted blood supplies never make their way to individuals that need lifesaving plasma treatments. In addition, since most of Canada’s current plasma supply comes from paid plasma donors in the US, patients would already be at risk, making the “safety” argument invalid.

At the end of the day, there is no disputing the fact that paid plasma donations are mutually beneficial. Plasma donors get compensated for their time, effort, and commitment, and patients that need lifesaving therapies are much more easily able to access them. At DB Plasma, we’ve been long-time proponents of paid plasma donation and have seen first hand how this practice can make a difference in the lives of donors and recipients alike.

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November 1, 2019

Plasma donation in Canada is an industry that’s had its fair share of setbacks. Despite a desire to do good and give back to individuals living with immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases, plasma donation services have been met with protest and political debate. Thankfully, DB Plasma has been able to overcome these challenges and we’ve been contributing to the creation of lifesaving therapies since 2016. In fact, Canadian Plasma Resource’s Saskatoon centre collects more plasma than any other blood establishment in Canada, including those operated by CBS or Hema Quebec.

Getting our centres up and running was a step in the right direction for paid plasma in Canada, but we’re still lagging far behind the United States. To this day, we continue to rely on them to meet our country’s demand for plasma.

Canada only collects about 15% of the plasma needed to meet the demand for domestic immune globulin, one of the lifesaving medicines that is made from source plasma. That means we’re currently relying on paid donors in the United States to provide about 85% of our plasma supply. A relatively easy, short-term solution to this issue would be to pay more Canadian plasma donors, but Canadian Blood Services refuses to support paid plasma donations in Canada and prefers to import finished products made from paid US donors.

The lack of proper planning on the part of Canadian Blood Services has led to a shortage of take home immune globulin products in Canada, which means patients who weren’t already on it may no longer be able to access it. Many Canadians rely heavily on take home immune globulin products, and without it, their condition will significantly decline. This can result in issues walking, and for some, even breathing can become laboured.

With people’s health on the line and such a feasible solution available, it simply doesn’t make sense for Canadian Blood Services to block the efforts to make paid plasma donation possible. Paid plasma donations have been proven time and time again to be the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma. Paid donors in the United States provide over 70% of the entire world’s supply of plasma that is used to create plasma medicine.

Not only is paid plasma donation the only option, but it’s also a safe option. A Health Canada report has explicitly stated that paid plasma donations are just as safe as unpaid plasma donations. Patient groups that rely on plasma therapies have even come out and made their support for paid plasma known.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that has verified the positive effects of paid plasma donations, the previous governments of Alberta and Ontario, as well as the current NDP government in British Columbia, continue to listen to public sector unions that oppose this service instead of the patients that need it. Paid plasma is an absolute must for these patients, and it is something that we will likely always rely on in Canada. We can only hope that Canadian Unions and Canadian Blood Services will have a change of heart and realize that paid plasma donations in Canada benefit taxpayers, donors, and, most importantly, recipients, and this option is preferable to paid donations from the US.

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September 27, 2019

Plasma donation is a completely safe process that has been closely regulated by Health Canada since the late 1990s, and today Canada’s blood system is considered to be one of the safest in the world. Donor restrictions have been put in place to ensure that tainted blood supplies don’t make their way to individuals that require the lifesaving therapies manufactured from plasma. In today’s blog, we’ll be going over plasma donor restrictions and unpacking why they exist.

Plasma donors should be between 17 and 68 years of age.

At DB Plasma, the minimum plasma donation age is 17 and the maximum plasma donation age is 68. Individuals who are younger than 17 are classified as legal minors who cannot give consent to donate plasma by themselves. An upper age limit has been set for plasma donations in order to mitigate potential health risks. 

Plasma donors should weigh at least 50 kg (110 lbs).

Whole blood is drawn during the plasma donation process and since blood volume is in proportion to body weight, donors must weigh at least 110 pounds to donate plasma for their own safety. Donors who weigh less than 110 pounds may not be able to tolerate the volume of blood that is removed for plasma donation.

Plasma donors cannot donate blood within 56 days of donating plasma.  

Making a donor wait 56 days between blood donations is a commonplace practice has been put in place to give the body time to replenish itself, especially its iron reserve. Since whole blood is drawn during the plasma donation process, waiting 56 days from your last blood donation is an extra precaution that should be taken.

It should be noted that donors do not have to wait 56 days between plasma donations and in accordance with DB Plasma’s Health Canada approved standard operating procedures, donors can give plasma twice in a 7-day period so long as there is at least one rest day between the two donation days.

Plasma donors cannot get a tattoo or piercing within 12 months of donating plasma.

When you get a tattoo or piercing, you risk contracting an infectious disease if a sterile needle is not used. Some of these infectious diseases cannot be detected immediately.

Plasma donors must have a permanent address within 100 kilometers of a DB Plasma facility.

Donor Recruiting Area (DRA) borders are imposed by the Plasma Protein Therapeutic Association (PPTA) through the International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP) certification process.  Canadian Plasma Resource’s DRA borders require donors to reside within the Saskatoon/GSA or Moncton/GMA area.

Hopefully we’ve put some of the questions you may have had about donor restrictions to rest. If you meet all the eligibility requirements listed, we’d be thrilled to have you as a donor. At DB Plasma, not only do you get to contribute to the well being of others, but you are also compensated for your time.

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August 30, 2019

Thousands of people around the globe donate plasma every day, and it is a process that is considered completely safe. At DB Plasma, plasma collection is performed in a highly controlled clinical environment and our staff adhere to strict plasma collection standards that have been set out by Health Canada.

With that said, attempting anything for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when you don’t know what to expect and you’re in an unfamiliar environment. If you’re a first-time plasma donor, here are some ways you can optimize your plasma donation experience.

1. Come to Your Plasma Donation Appointment Early

Your first visit to DB Plasma will take approximately two hours and 15 minutes. As such, it’s in your best interest to come early and give yourself plenty of time to go through the necessary registration and screening protocols. Aiming to arrive at least five minutes early also increases the likelihood of you being relaxed for the appointment and ensures that you have a buffer in case any unexpected delays occur.

2. Come to Your Plasma Donation Appointment Prepared

Coming prepared for your appointment will make your first scheduled visit go a lot smoother. For plasma donations at DB Plasma specifically, this means familiarizing yourself with the eligibility requirements and bringing the required documentation. Here’s everything you need to know in order to come prepared:

Eligibility requirements:

• You must be between 17 and 68 years of age.
• You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
• You must have a permanent address within 100 kilometers of a DB Plasma facility.

Required documentation:

• You must present valid photo identification, proof of address, and a social insurance card.

3. Wear Comfortable Clothing

During your first plasma donation session, you will have your blood pressure checked and be connected to an apheresis machine via the veins in the crease of your elbow. It is important to wear loose-fitting sleeves that can easily be rolled up without compromising your blood supply or making you feel uncomfortable.

4. Bring Something To Do

You will be spending approximately 50 minutes actually donating and attached to the apheresis machine. This is a great opportunity to get some much needed “me time” by either watching your favourite TV show or indulging in a good book!

5. Prioritize Rest, Relaxation, and Replenishment

It is important to prioritize rest, relaxation, and replenishment both before and after the plasma donation process. Before donating, try to get a good night’s sleep, eat well, and stay hydrated. Beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol should not be consumed for eight hours prior to donation.

After donating, you will be escorted to the DB Plasma waiting room where you can relax and enjoy refreshments. Once you get home, replenish yourself with a healthy, well-balanced meal.

By putting these suggestions into practice, your plasma donation appointment will be much more enjoyable and relaxing. The staff at DB Plasma also go the extra mile and closely monitor donors to ensure the optimal plasma donation experience.

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June 28, 2019

Plasma donation is a complex process that requires whole blood to be drawn and plasma to be separated from blood via a process called plasmapheresis. For donors, plasma collection is very similar to blood donation and there are certain risks and side effects associated with the process, albeit the chances of them happening are very small. As such, a team of experienced professionals are required and they must adhere to Health Canada’s strict plasma collection standards.

There is one role, however, that plays a particularly important part when it comes to donor health and care – nurses. In today’s blog, we’ll be exploring the significant role that nurses play in the plasma donation process.

Nurse’s Plasma Donation Responsibilities

Nurses are clinically responsible for plasma donation sessions and ensure every donor receives the best service. Nurses are also the party that ultimately determines the eligibility of potential donors. They are heavily involved in three major areas of plasma donation – screening, donation, and post-donor care.

1. Screening

Nurses provide the necessary medical expertise needed to determine the eligibility of donors. The basic eligibility requirements for plasma donation include the following:

• Donors must be between 17 and 68 years of age.
• Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Donors cannot have gotten a tattoo or piercing done in the past 12 months.
• Donors cannot have donated blood in the past 56 days.

Certain medical conditions, lifestyle-related issues, or medications taken also impact donor eligibility. Nurses medically examine and review the paperwork of each and every donor to determine whether or not they are fit to donate.

2. Donation

Once a donor has been thoroughly screened and confirmed consent, the donation process can begin. Nurses escort donors to their bed, prep them for donation, and connect them to a plasmapheresis machine. They practice the appropriate hygeine standards needed to withdraw blood from donors. 

The donation process typically takes around 50 minutes to complete. During this time, nurses closely monitor donors to ensure they are comfortable and the process is going smoothly.

3. Post-Donor Care

After a donor’s plasma has been collected, it’s time for them to sit down, relax, and enjoy refreshments. It is essential that donors replenish themselves after donating so that they replace lost fluids and avoid a drop in blood pressure. Nurses continue to keep a close eye on donors after the donation process and make sure they are in good health.

Evidently, nurses play a huge role in plasma donation and without them the demand for plasma would never be met. At DB Plasma, we prioritize donor health and our friendly and experienced nurses will always make your experience a pleasant one.

Book your next appointment today!

June 20, 2019

Presently, plasma donors are permitted to make one plasma donation in a 7-day period in accordance with DB Plasma’s Health Canada approved standard operating procedures. This regulation has restricted the amount of plasma that can be collected as well as the amount of money donors can receive. Thankfully, this will no longer be the case as of July 5^th, because long awaited changes to the plasma donation wait period are finally here!

In today’s blog, we’ll be going over everything you need to know about the plasma donation changes that will come into effect on July 5^th.

Increased Weekly Plasma Donation Frequency

Donation frequency will be changed from once a week to two donations in a 7-day period. Donors that opt to donate twice in a week need at least one rest day between the two donation days. For example, you can donate on a Monday and Wednesday, and the next time you’d be eligible to donate would be the following Monday.

Increased Six Month Plasma Donation Frequency

Currently, donors are allowed to donate a maximum of 18 to 23 times in a six-month rolling period depending on their weight. In accordance with the changes made to the frequency of weekly donations, six-month cumulative volume limits will no longer have such restrictions. Plasma donors are now permitted to donate up to 104 times in a year, or twice a week for 52 weeks.

Total Protein Measurements Taken During Registration

Donor safety standards are changing along with the donation wait period, and total protein (TP) is an increasingly important parameter to assess donor eligibility. TP will now be measured in screening stations during the donor registration process as opposed to after donation.

A finger stick test will be performed using a single use sterile lancing device. After a blood sample is collected, the capillary tube will be spun and hematocrit (HCT) and TP will be measured. HCT measurement is replacing the hemoglobin (Hb) which is done at reception. The minimum acceptable TP level is 6.0 g/dl and the minimum acceptable HCT measurement is 38.0%.

Donors with unacceptable TP and HCT levels will be deferred and ineligible to move on to a plasmapheresis session the day they have been tested. Once TP and HCT levels have returned back to normal, a donor can resume with subsequent donations.

What This Means for DB Plasma

Plasma donors at DB Plasma will soon have the opportunity to donate more frequently and will be paid accordingly. Keep your eyes peeled for changes to our donor compensation plan!

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June 3, 2019

Donating plasma is a great way to give back and help patients who suffer from rare and chronic conditions. A significant number of plasma donations are needed to help individuals living with hemophelia, Alpha-1, and primary immune deficiencies. These patients are wholly reliant on plasma donations to lead healthy and productive lives.

Sadly, years of myths and misconceptions have deterred healthy people from donating their plasma. This has led to a shortage of plasma collection in Canada and an inability to meet the demand for plasma products.

We’ve decided it’s time to put these rumours to rest and separate fiction from fact.

Fiction: Donating plasma puts your health at risk.

Fact: This prominent misconception about plasma donation has been notoriously difficult to dispel. Contrary to popular belief, plasma donation in Canada is completely safe. In fact, Canada has one of the safest blood systems in the world due to the strict standards that have been laid out in Health Canada’s Blood Regulations and Food and Drugs Act.

Every establishment that collects plasma in Canada must abide by Health Canada’s regulations so you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.

Fiction: Plasma donation is used solely for research.

Fact: As was mentioned previously, plasma is required to treat a variety of rare and chronic conditions. A small number of plasma donations are used for research purposes, but the vast majority are used to produce necessary medicines.

In addition, plasma donations are used to treat patients who have suffered from severe trauma, shock, and burns.

Fiction: Plasma from volunteer donors is safer than from paid donors.

Fact: There is no difference whatsoever between the plasma that is collected from volunteer VS paid donors. Health Canada works diligently to ensure that all plasma is collected safely and according to the correct procedures. Their role is to oversee the safe collection of plasma for both paid and unpaid donations.

Modern technology has also made it possible for all plasma products to be made equally safe and there hasn’t been a transmission of a viral infection in over 20 years.

Fiction: Plasma donation centres specifically target those in unfavourable circumstances.

Fact: There are a number of factors that might influence a person’s decision to donate plasma. Some individuals want to lend a helping hand to the community while others know someone that is reliant on plasma donations for their wellbeing.

We have compensated plasma donations in Canada because plasma from paid donors is needed to meet the demand for plasma products.

Book your next appointment today!