The Canadian Blood Services plasma donation centre in Abbotsford celebrated not only their one-year anniversary last Wednesday (April 3) but also how successful the centre has been.
With 9,400 units of plasma donated this succeeded their goal by 113 per cent.
“Since the plasma centre opened last year the community response has been extremely positive,” Johanna Aguirre, manager of business development and plasma operations, said. “It is incredible, absolutely incredible.”
The centre in Abbotsford is one of 11 in Canada that is exclusive to plasma donation. The other in B.C. is in Kelowna. Unlike blood donation which requires a long period in between, eligible people can donate weekly.
Although surpassing the donation goal for the fiscal year of April 1 to March 31 is positive, Aguirre is encouraging current donors to continue and is also hoping to have 2,500 new donors and 11,000 units donated within the next year.
“We do want to make sure we are celebrating the accomplishments but re-emphasizing that there is a constant need,” Aguirre said.
The plasma collected in Abbotsford is used in two different ways. Plasma is collected and manufactured into plasma-derived treatment products that many individuals need to survive. Plasma is also used for transfusions.
To learn more about eligibility criteria and to book an appointment to donate visit blood.ca.
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