The plasma donation process
Donating plasma is similar to donating blood. Only the plasma portion of your blood is collected; the other components (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) are returned to you. Watch our video to get a firsthand look at the plasma donor experience.
Which is better – donating plasma or donating whole blood?
Hello Harman deep Singh,
All types of donations are needed in order to continue to meet the needs of Canadian patients from coast to coast.
You can book an appointment to donate blood online through our website. You can easily and conveniently create an online donor account here: http://ow.ly/Kzg830oRauV.
Once you have registered your account, you will receive an email containing a link to complete your profile and begin booking appointments. You can also speak directly to a Customer Service Representative using our live chat feature.
You can also download and use our GiveBlood mobile app available for Android and iOS mobile devices. Once you have registered your account, you will receive an email containing a link to complete your profile and begin booking appointments.
Thank you for being part of Canada’s Lifeline.
-SK
Tomorrow is my first time donating plasma. Hope everything goes well. Would love to be a regular donor.
Hey how did it feel? Did it hurt? I am considering donating and am afraid of the needle. I heard it feels like a normal shot when the needle goes in. Is that true?
@E ?️?⃠ I’m a different person replying, but yes, sometimes the plasma donation even hurts less than a shot. It does vary slightly. After it’s in the pain stops. Basically, it’s like if you pinch your arm with your fingernail for a second. Best wishes! ??
Does it hurt I have anxiety when it comes to needles
How do you feel after the donation? Do you have to take it easy the next couple days?
I have had covid 3 times and beat it 3 times with no hospitalizion
Was this filmed in the London, ON centre? Staff there are incredible! Anyone who is able to donate should definitely consider it…
As someone with AB+ blood, I’ve heard that plasma donations are more useful for those with my blood type to donate than whole blood. I want to double check though, should I be booking a plasma donation or a whole blood one as my next appointment?
With your blood type, you are considered the universal donor for plasma. AB is the most in-demand type of plasma, as it can be received by anyone of any blood type. If you have any questions please call us at 1 888 2 DONATE – Mary
They should compensate you, these people make alot of money from your donations, they get rich from using people like you.
I’m glad to see the process because I’ve donated blood but not plasma!
I have plasma today for the first time. I have sever anxiety and PTSD so it didn’t help. But your body will feel like your freezing and also you will feel as if you are feeling slow on reaction time. After the process was over I did grab something to eat but I was very sick and tired after giving plasma so all and all not to bed
Thank you, Coty, for coming in to make a plasma donation. Even with your anxiety and PTSD, you stepped up and made a huge difference in the lives of those in need. Thank you for being part of Canada’s Lifeline. -CT
**QUESTION FOR WOMEN ONLY**
Have you ever donated plasma and started your cycle early ? I’ve tried to do a little research but I haven’t seen anything and I know I’m not tripping this wouldn’t be the first time it’s happens d the nurse said it’s unrelated but it only happens after I donate I just wanted to see if anyone experienced this as well
If you have donated whole blood recently are you eligible to donate plasma or must you wait a certain time period in order to donate plasma if you had only donated whole blood.
Hello Boder,
We recommend you choose just one type of donation to make regularly. Women may book a blood donation appointment 84 days after their last plasma donation. For men, the waiting period for giving blood after donating plasma is 56 days. You can learn more about donating plasma on our website: http://ow.ly/L0fu30ooPnm
Thank you for being part of Canada’s Lifeline.
– SK
Very good?
I always donate whole blood. Maybe after my next WB donation in 2 weeks I’ll look into booking a plasma donation.
Hello Francis,
We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support and truly appreciate any type of donation you make!
Thank you for being part of Canada’s Lifeline.
– JL
in recent covid pandemic, the plasma transfer / donation from the recovered covid patient COULD help sick Covid patient ,
It definitely helps upward of 60%…crazy!
I’m going to donate covid antibody plasma 🙂
I did this and saved 3 people who were dying at the hospital.
i just visited CBS centre for whole blood donation and i was not sure about Malaira history but as per my light memory i got something like that, when i was child and the thing is neither me nor my parent remember now. so do you have any specific test to check whether i had malaira in past or not?
Hello Devang,
@Canadian Blood Services could you please present your expertise on this situation?
Hello Devang,
As your question is medical in nature, please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) and speak to one of our trained health professionals. They will be able to answer your questions and help determine your eligibility. Thank you for supporting Canada’s Lifeline. – Mary
I donated and it hurt so bad lmao. But only towards the end and it was probably because of the weird position of my arm
Hello, please visit blood.ca and use our live chat, or call our toll free 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236 6283) to speak with one of our trained health professionals. – MM
This would be great if there were actually a good amount of plasma donation centres. I’m confused as to why we buy 80% of our plasma supply from paid donors in the US, yet we don’t make any efforts towards getting plasma from Canadians. Either open way more free plasma clinics or pay donors for their plasma!!! That way we can acquire our plasma from Canadians rather than outsourcing it which isn’t 100% reliable.
As the national blood authority, we are responsible for ensuring a safe and secure supply of blood and blood products for patients in Canada (except in Quebec, where Héma-Québec is the blood operator).
We collect blood, plasma and platelets from volunteer donors across the country. These donations meet all (100 per cent) of Canadian hospital demand for transfusion, meaning that all of the blood components (red blood cells, plasma and platelets) transfused into patients in Canada are collected at our donor centres from volunteer donors in Canada.
We do not import or export any blood products, except for patients who have rare blood, where only 1 person out of 500 may be a compatible donor. For these patients, we may work with international blood operators to find a match.
Please visit us at http://www.blood.ca to learn more.
Thank you for being a vital part of Canada’s Lifeline. – MM
I’ve never donated plasma how do I sign up to do that is it a online thing or go to my town hospital?
Hello Alunn,
To donate, you must be at least 17 and meet the basic eligibility criteria. If you’d like to check your eligibility, try our eligibility quiz: http://ow.ly/IEsN30nT4ah.. If you are eligible please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or visit our chat line via our website – http://www.blood.ca and we will assist you in setting up an appointment. – Mary
What’s the difference of donating blood and plasma? If I donate blood they can separate the plasma later right?
Hello Tran,
Donating plasma is a little different from donating whole blood. When you donate whole blood, it goes straight into a collection bag and is later separated in a lab. When you donate plasma, the blood that’s drawn from your arm goes through a special machine to separate the different parts of your blood.
Plasma is collected through a process call plasmapheresis and is conducted in cycles that may take up to an hour. Whole blood is drawn.
Every donation that helps save lives is valuable. Blood is just as important as plasma. We appreciate your generosity and commitment in whatever form you’re able to give.
-Mary
Is blood loss occurs during plasma donation?
We collect plasma through two processes:
We separate plasma from a whole blood donation after you donate. The plasma we collect in this way is called “recovered plasma.”
We also collect plasma through a process called apheresis. In this process, we separate the plasma from your blood during the donation process and return the other components of your blood to your body through the same needle.
You can learn more on our website: http://ow.ly/KLs830obBzu
Thank you for being part of Canada’s Lifeline!
In other words, you’ll get your blood back, just without the plasma. You also get saline that gives you a funny taste in your mouth, if you’ve ever had a surgery, or been in the hospital, you should have had a saline injection through your IV line.
The guy looked a bit scared ngl
Well yeah, he was asking about how many needles there were gonna be lol.
Can I repost your video on another social media site?
Ok so it seems the same as regular blood donation
Except they put the red cells and saline back in to you. I was told it should take just under 1.5 hours