février 22, 2022

Plasma donation is a great way to earn extra money while also getting some much-needed me-time. It is a truly fulfilling process that ultimately helps save lives, but not many people know exactly what the plasma donation process entails. 

As a new plasma donor, there are certain things you should be aware of before you come in for your first appointment, and we’re going to let you know what they are in this blog!

What Is Plasma?

Before we get into the things you can do to prepare for your plasma donation appointment, it’s important to first understand what plasma is and why donations are needed. Plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that contains several important proteins. It is used to create medicinal products that treat patients with rare and chronic diseases. 

Can I Donate Plasma?

Making sure you’re eligible to donate plasma is one of the first things you should do as a prospective plasma donor. Eligibility requirements for plasma donation exist to ensure donor and patient safety. To donate plasma at a Canadian Plasma Resources centre, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 17 and 68 years of age.
• Weigh between 50-180 kg. 
• Not having had a tattoo or piercing done in the past six months. 
• Not having donated blood in the past 56 days. 
• Have a permanent address within 100 kilometres of a Canadian Plasma Resources facility. 

How to Donate Plasma

Once you’ve confirmed that you meet all the eligibility requirements for plasma donation, it’s the perfect time to book your first appointment! You can easily book an appointment at one of our centres on our website. 

On the day of your plasma donation appointment, you can electronically fill out our donor health questionnaire on your mobile device or computer by clicking the “Check-In” button on our homepage. Items you will need to bring to your plasma donation appointment include:

• An electronic or physical copy of the barcode emailed to you after filling out the electronic questionnaire. 
• A valid photo identification (e.g. a driver’s licence or passport).
• A document that shows proof of address (e.g. a bill or lease agreement).
• Your social insurance card. 

You may also want to bring something to do while you are donating plasma, such as a book to read, as well as a water bottle. The actual donation portion of the plasma donation process takes approximately 50 minutes to complete, and it is a perfect time to do something you enjoy while also staying hydrated! 

Other things you may want to consider doing in preparation for your plasma donation appointment include dressing in loose, comfortable clothing and eating an iron and protein-rich meal a few hours before donating. It’s best to refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, and eating fatty foods before donating plasma. 

There you have it – all the things you should bring and do to prepare for your plasma donation appointment! At Canadian Plasma Resources, we’re always happy to welcome new donors to our centres. Book an appointment at a centre near you to give back and get compensated up to $400/month for your contributions! 

janvier 25, 2022

Plasma donation is an important, albeit lesser-known, type of donation. It is responsible for the creation of several different types of life-saving therapies for immunocompromised patients. 

Even though plasma is a component of blood, plasma donation and blood donation have notable differences. One of these differences is how frequently donors are permitted to donate. Plasma donors can safely give plasma up to twice per week. 

In this blog, we will be unpacking what the plasma donation process entails and why plasma donors can donate more frequently than blood donors. 

How Does Blood Plasma Donation Work?

Plasma donation is a four-step process that involves registering, screening, donating, and relaxing. Before prospective donors can give plasma, they first need to meet certain eligibility requirements and undergo screenings to ensure they are in good health. Some eligibility requirements for plasma donation include:

• Being between 17 and 68 years of age
• Weighing between 50-180 kg
• Not having had a tattoo or piercing done in the past six months
• Not having donated blood in the past 56 days

Once donors qualify to donate plasma, they can then proceed to the donating portion of the plasma donation process. This part of the process takes approximately 50 minutes to complete. During this time, donors are connected to a plasmapheresis machine, which separates plasma from other blood components and returns those other cellular components of blood to the body. Donors are free to read, watch TV, or listen to music while undergoing plasmapheresis. 

After a plasma donation has been made, donors can then relax and enjoy the snacks we provide in our waiting room. 

Why Donate Plasma Instead of Blood?

Both plasma and blood donations are used to do good and save lives, but there are a few reasons why you may opt to donate plasma over blood. 

If you’d like to specifically help patients living with immune disorders, autoimmune conditions, and rare blood disorders receive the treatments they need, plasma donation may be the right choice for you. Even though the plasmapheresis process is longer than the blood donation process, which takes about eight to 10 minutes to complete, it does enable larger quantities of plasma to be collected more frequently. That means more life-saving therapies for rare conditions can be made. 

Another reason you may want to donate plasma is compensation. Paid plasma donations are permitted throughout the U.S. and in certain provinces in Canada. Plasma donors receive compensation because of the time and effort that goes into giving plasma. It has also been proven time and time again that compensating donors is the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma, as most of the global supply of plasma comes from countries that pay their donors. 

Why Can You Donate Plasma More Frequently Than Blood?

Whole blood donations can only be made every 56 days for males and every 84 days for females. Plasma donations, on the other hand, can be made twice in a seven-day period. This is because your body replenishes its plasma within 48 hours, but it can take anywhere from four to six weeks to replace blood. Since red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are returned to the body during plasmapheresis, it is safe for donors to give plasma more frequently. 

At Canadian Plasma Resources, you can earn up to $400/month by consistently donating plasma twice per week! Book a plasma donation appointment at a centre near you to help others while also supplementing your income. 

décembre 16, 2021

The holiday season is here, and one of the best ways to spread some cheer is by donating plasma! Plasma donation is a mutually beneficial act that benefits both donors and patients alike. If you’ve been thinking about donating plasma lately, we’re going to give you three reasons you should do just that in this blog!

What does plasma donation do?

Plasma donation is an incredible process that can ultimately help save lives. Plasma is a protein-packed component of blood that is used as a key ingredient in many medications. It sustains the lives of patients living with immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and clotting disorders, but that can only happen because generous donors willingly choose to give plasma. 

What is donating plasma like?

The plasma donation process involves four steps – registering, screening, donating, and relaxing. During the donation portion of this process, donors are intravenously connected to a plasmapheresis machine that separates plasma from other cellular components found in blood and returns those other cellular components to your body. The plasmapheresis process takes approximately 50 minutes to complete. 

3 Reasons to Donate Plasma This Holiday Season

Now that you’re familiar with what plasma donation entails, let’s get into all the reasons you should give plasma during this time of year!

1. Get Some Me-Time

Because the plasmapheresis process takes roughly 50 minutes, you can get some much-needed me-time while donating plasma. During this time, you can read, watch TV, listen to a podcast, or put on your favourite tunes all from the comfort of our donor beds. 

Given how busy the holiday season can be, getting time to relax, unwind, and do what you please is a welcome respite! 

2. Earn Extra Spending Money

Plasma donation is an excellent way to supplement your income and earn extra spending money this holiday season! At Canadian Plasma Resources, we’ve always believed in compensating our donors for the time and effort they put into donating plasma. Compensating donors is also the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma for patients who rely on plasma-derived treatments. 

You can earn up to $400/month when you donate plasma at our centres!

3. Help Others Enjoy the Holidays Too

Last but certainly not least, the holidays are all about the spirit of giving, and there’s no better gift to give than the gift of life! By donating plasma, you can help patients with rare and chronic diseases manage their conditions and lead healthier lives.  

All in all, plasma donation truly encompasses the spirit of the holiday season. If you’d like to give back and get rewarded for your contributions, book a plasma donation appointment today! Happy holidays!

novembre 29, 2021

For many decades, plasma, the main component of blood, has been manufactured into life-saving therapies and used to treat a host of rare and chronic conditions. In fact, donated plasma is capable of treating over 80 different autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiencies, and blood disorders. One of the conditions that plasma is capable of treating is myositis.

In this blog, we will be going over what myositis is and how plasma protein therapies can help individuals manage this condition. 

What Is Myositis?

Myositis is the term used to describe general inflammation or swelling of the muscles. It is a rare disease that can be difficult to diagnose. The five types of myositis are:

1. dermatomyositis
2. juvenile myositis
3. inclusion-body myositis
4. polymyositis
5. toxic myositis 

With the exception of inclusion-body myositis, women are more likely to be affected by myositis than men. 

What Causes Myositis?

The exact cause of myositis is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition that makes the body attack healthy muscle tissue. Researchers think that myositis may also be caused by: 

• Inflammatory conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma
• Viral infections, like the common cold and flu viruses
• Injury from vigorous exercise
• Drug toxicity

What Are the Symptoms of Myositis?

The main symptom of myositis is chronic muscle inflammation that may result in weakness, fatigue after standing or walking for a long time, and/or frequent falling. Other symptoms of this condition may include:

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Swelling of the feet and legs
• Muscular and joint pain
• A rash on the eyelids, elbows, knees and/or knuckles
• Skin thickening on the hands

How is Myositis Diagnosed?

Myositis can be difficult to diagnose because it is so rare and the main symptoms of it – fatigue and weakness – are also associated with other diseases. If your doctor does suspect you might have myositis, he or she might suggest a blood test, an MRI, a muscle biopsy, and/or an electromyography test. 

What Is the Treatment for Myositis?

There is no cure for myositis, but treatment can improve your muscle strength and function. Depending on the cause of myositis, the treatment for the condition will vary. In general, myositis that is caused by an inflammatory condition is treated with drugs that suppress the immune system, myositis that is caused by a viral infection doesn’t have a specific treatment, and myositis that is brought on by a drug is treated by stopping that medication. 

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), which is a plasma-derived medicine, can also be used to treat myositis and other diseases of the immune system. IVIG helps regulate an overactive immune system by signalling for it to slow down inflammatory processes. 

By donating plasma, you can help patients with myositis and other rare diseases receive the treatments they need. It takes thousands of plasma donations to make one batch of IVIG treatments, so if you’re able to donate, please book an appointment at a centre near you. Every donation counts! 

novembre 25, 2021

Contrary to popular belief, plasma isn’t always “yellowish” or “straw-coloured”, as it is often described. This protein-rich liquid component of blood can come in a variety of different hues, including reddish-orange, green, and milky white. The latter hue is often referred to as “cloudy plasma”.

When plasma is cloudy, it cannot be used to make life-saving therapies. Keep reading to learn more about what causes cloudy plasma and how you can prevent it!

What is Cloudy Plasma?

Cloudy plasma is plasma that is full of fats. Unlike healthy plasma, which is clear and yellow in colour, cloudy plasma has a milky white appearance. This naturally occurring phenomenon is known as lipemia. 

Is Cloudy Plasma Bad?

Plasma that is cloudy looking is caused by increased levels of plasma triglyceride concentrations. This can occur if a donor has eaten a fatty meal before donating plasma, and it renders the donation unusable. 

What Foods Make Your Plasma Cloudy?

Foods that are high in saturated and trans fats can raise your triglyceride levels and cause cloudy plasma. You should avoid eating the following foods on the day of your plasma donation: 

• Fried foods, including chips
• Fast food, like french fries, pizza, and burgers
• High-fat dairy products

The Best Foods to Eat Before Donating Plasma

If you donate cloudy, or lipemic, plasma, you may be deferred or ineligible to receive full compensation for your donation. To prevent this scenario from happening, you should eat the following foods before donating plasma: 

• Lean proteins
• Low-fat dairy products
• Fruits and vegetables
• High-fibre whole grains
• Beans, nuts, and seeds

Now that you know what cloudy plasma is and how to avoid it, you’re well equipped to donate healthy plasma from here on out! Book your next appointment today to put our plasma donation tips into practice and help patients receive the treatments they need.

octobre 25, 2021

Have you been thinking about becoming a plasma donor as of late? Plasma donation is a fulfilling act that can ultimately help patients receive the treatments they need. However, you first must meet certain eligibility requirements to donate plasma.

In this blog, we’ll be unpacking everything you need to know about the standards and screenings that are in place to ensure plasma-derived therapies can be safely created.

Who Can Donate Plasma?

In order to protect your health and the health of patients who receive plasma-derived medicines, donors must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 17 and 68 years of age.
• Weigh between 50-180 kg.
• Have not had a tattoo or piercing done in the past six months. 
• Have not donated blood in the past 56 days.

To donate plasma at Canadian Plasma Resources, you also must have a permanent address within 100 km of one of our facilities and present valid proof of identification. 

What Screenings Are Required for Plasma Donation?

There are various screenings and tests that you will have to undergo in order to donate plasma. These include getting your blood pressure and temperature checked. You will also have a blood sample taken in order to evaluate your protein and hemoglobin levels and check for transmissible viruses. 

Why Donate Plasma?

One major reason to donate plasma is to help other people live healthier and more productive lives. Plasma is used to treat immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, and other rare diseases. There is no substitute for plasma, which means that immunocompromised patients are completely reliant on the generosity of donors to receive the treatments they need. 

Another great thing about donating plasma is that you get paid for your contributions when you donate at Canadian Plasma Resources. We’ve always believed in paying our donors for the time and effort they put into giving plasma. It’s also been proven that the global demand for plasma would not be met without paid plasma donations. We proudly pay our donors up to $400/month for their donations!

The me-time you get while donating plasma is yet another benefit worth noting. In everyday life, it can be difficult to find time to do the things you love, whether that be reading a good book, listening to a podcast, or just taking time to relax. During the plasmapheresis portion of the plasma donation process, you get 50 minutes to unwind and pass the time as you please!

Plasma donation is a fulfilling process that is beneficial for donors and patients alike. If you think you’d make a good plasma donor, don’t hesitate to book an appointment. Every donation helps!

octobre 21, 2021

Plasma donation is an amazing way to help patients in need and earn extra money, but most people are not very familiar with what it entails. Unlike blood donation, plasma donation involves the use of a specialized device known as a plasmapheresis machine. This machine is specifically used to collect plasma, a straw-coloured liquid portion of blood, and return other blood components to the body. It is because of this process that plasma donors are able to safely donate up to twice per week!

If you’d like to learn more about how plasmapheresis works, keep reading to find out.

What Is Plasmapheresis?

Plasmapheresis is the process used to collect source plasma. During this process, donors are intravenously connected to a plasmapheresis machine, which withdraws all blood components, separates plasma from other blood cells, and returns those other cells to the body. This process takes approximately 45-50 minutes to complete.

What Is The Goal of Plasmapheresis Treatment?

The goal of plasmapheresis is to separate and remove protein-rich plasma so that it can be manufactured into life-saving therapies.

Plasma is capable of treating over 80 different rare and chronic diseases. However, the patients who rely on plasma-derived treatments often need to receive them for the rest of their lives, and it can take up to 1,200 donations to treat one patient for a year. This is why continued plasma donations are so important!

What Are the Side Effects of Donating Plasma?

Just like with blood donations, there are side effects that can potentially occur when you donate plasma. These side effects may include dehydration, dizziness, fatigue, and/or bruising.

In order to minimize the potential of any side effects occurring, you can:

• Drink six to eight cups of water the day before and the day of your plasma donation.
• Refrain from consuming caffeinated and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before your appointment.
• Eat a protein and iron-rich meal within three hours of your plasma donation appointment.
• Get a minimum of six to eight hours of sleep the night before giving plasma.
• Take the time to rest and replenish yourself with snacks and/or a drink after donating plasma.

At Canadian Plasma Resources, we’ve also recently changed the plasmapheresis devices at our centres to further ensure donor safety and minimize side effects as much as possible. With the Aurora Plasmapheresis System we are now using, your red cell loss will never be greater than 200mL while undergoing plasmapheresis. This state-of-the-art machine also has a donor display on the side panel that will conveniently tell you when to squeeze your stress ball according to your venous pressure.

Plasmapheresis is an incredible process that has made it possible for patients with rare diseases to receive the treatments they need. If you would like to help change someone else’s life for the better, book your next plasma donation appointment today!

septembre 28, 2021

Plasma donation is a safe process that has long been used to collect blood plasma so that it can be manufactured into life-changing therapies. With that said, just like with whole blood donation, plasma donation can potentially have some unwanted side effects. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do to improve your chances of leaving your plasma donation appointment feeling as good as possible! Nourishing yourself properly is one of those things. 

If you’re relatively new to plasma donation, keep reading to find out about the iron-rich foods that can help optimize your experience!

How to Prepare for Blood Plasma Donation

One of the most important things to do before donating plasma is to eat a healthy meal with protein and iron-rich foods. This meal should ideally be consumed within two hours of your plasma donation appointment. 

Other things you can do to prepare for plasma donation include:

• Staying hydrated
• Getting a good night’s rest 
• Refraining from smoking tobacco
• Not consuming alcohol or caffeine
• Avoiding foods high in fat or cholesterol

Why Iron Levels Are Important for Blood Plasma Donation

Before donors give plasma, they undergo various health screenings to ensure they are fit to donate. One of the things that are measured is hematocrit levels, which is the proportion of red blood cells in your blood. This is an important measurement since some red blood cells are temporarily removed from your body during plasma donation. 

By eating an iron-rich diet, you can help keep your hematocrit within an acceptable range. 

7 Iron-Rich Foods To Eat Before Donating Plasma

Eating proteins rich in heme iron, which is the iron found in animal sources, is an excellent way to increase iron stores in your body before donating plasma. However, if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, there are also great options for non-heme iron from plant sources that can help ensure you have healthy iron levels. 

Foods that are good sources of heme iron include:

1. Red meat: beef, lamb, pork, and veal. 
2. Poultry: chicken and turkey. 
3. Seafood: tuna, haddock, mackerel, shrimp, and clams. 
4. Eggs.  

Foods that are good sources of non-heme iron include:

5. Vegetables: spinach, peas, edamame, broccoli, sweet potatoes, collards, chard, and kale. 
6. Fruit: strawberries, watermelon, figs, dates, prunes, raisins, and dried apricots. 
7. Grains: oats, wheat products, and iron-fortified pasta, rice, or cereal. 

There you have it – seven iron-rich foods you can consume before donating plasma. By incorporating these foods into your pre-appointment meal, you can help make sure you qualify to donate and have a pleasant donation experience. Book your next appointment today!

septembre 24, 2021

Plasma is a protein-rich liquid component of blood that is used for various medical purposes. There is more than one way to collect plasma, and different types of plasma donations are sometimes used for different treatments. The two main types of plasma donations are source plasma donations and recovered plasma donations. 

In this blog, we’ll be explaining how these two types of plasma donations work and the differences between them. Let’s get into it!

What Is Plasma Donation? 

Plasma donation is the process of collecting a donor’s blood plasma. During source plasma donations, donors are intravenously connected to an apheresis machine. Apheresis machines draw whole blood, separate plasma from other blood components, and return red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to donors’ bodies. This process is known as plasmapheresis. 

Recovered plasma, on the other hand, is collected via whole blood donations. After a blood donation is made, plasma is separated out from other cellular components. 

It is worth noting that donors can donate source plasma much more frequently than they can donate blood, which may or may not be separated into its individual components. Because the body replenishes plasma within 48 hours, donors can give plasma via plasmapheresis up to twice per week. By contrast, donors must wait eight weeks between whole blood donations. 

Overall, source plasma donations bring in much more plasma than recovered plasma donations do. 

How Do You Donate Plasma? 

In order to donate source plasma, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. Some eligibility requirements for plasma donors at Canadian Plasma Resources include:

• Being between 17 and 68 years of age.
• Weighing between 50kg to 180kg.
• Not having had a tattoo or piercing done in the past six months.
• Not having donated blood in the past 56 days.
• Having a permanent address within 100 km of a Canadian Plasma Resources facility.

If you meet the initial requirements for plasma donation, you then have to fill out a donor health questionnaire and undergo a medical examination and testing on two separate occasions. Once you’ve completed the registering and screening process, you can then donate plasma. 

Whole blood donations also require donors to meet certain eligibility requirements before donating. 

What Is Plasma Used For?

Source plasma is used to create a number of life-saving therapies for patients living with rare and chronic diseases. Some of these treatments include intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapies, coagulation factor therapies, C1 esterase inhibitor therapies, and alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor therapies.

Many of the patients who rely on plasma-derived medicines must receive treatments for the rest of their lives. This is one of the reasons why continued source plasma donations are so important. 

Recovered plasma is used to create medicines and for plasma transfusions. Individuals may require a plasma transfusion due to trauma, burns, and/or shock. 

How Much Do You Get Paid To Donate Plasma?

Even though paid source plasma donations have been proven to be the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma, they are only permitted in certain provinces. At Canadian Plasma Resources, we give donors the opportunity to earn up to $400/month when they give plasma at our centres in Saskatoon and Moncton. 

Unlike source plasma donations, whole blood donations are unpaid – even when they are used for recovered plasma. Source plasma donations do, however, require more of a time commitment than whole blood donations do, which is part of the reason why we believe source plasma donors deserve to be paid for their contributions. 

All in all, donating plasma is a great way to help change someone else’s life for the better. If you’d like to help patients receive the treatments they need, book your next source plasma donation appointment at a centre near you! 

septembre 8, 2021

During the early months of the pandemic, many people heard the word “plasma” for the first time. Studies were being conducted on the efficacy of convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19. Article after article was written about this potential treatment. 

Now that more than a year has passed, plasma is not in the headlines nearly as much as it once was. However, the need for it has not gone away. In this blog, we’ll be unpacking the true impact that the pandemic has had on plasma donations. 

What Is Plasma?

Before we get into how COVID-19 has impacted plasma donations, we first need to explain exactly what plasma is and differentiate between the types of plasma donations. 

Plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that contains hundreds of important proteins. Convalescent plasma is the plasma that is collected from an individual who has recovered from a virus. Source plasma, on the other hand, is plasma that is collected from healthy donors through a process called plasmapheresis. Source plasma donations are used to manufacture life-saving therapies for patients living with autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiencies, and blood disorders. 

The types of donations that are now in high demand are source plasma donations and recovered plasma donations, which is the plasma collected from whole blood donations. 

Why Is Plasma Donation Important?

Patients with rare and chronic disorders rely on source plasma donations to receive the treatments they need to live healthy and productive lives. Because the medical products that are manufactured from plasma are treatments, not cures, these patients will oftentimes need to receive them for the rest of their lives.

By voluntarily donating source plasma, you can help change someone else’s life for the better. 

How Plasma Donations Have Been Impacted By COVID-19

Even though the pandemic helped spread awareness about plasma, donations have been negatively impacted by social distancing, cleaning procedures, and fewer donors visiting centres. In fact, global plasma collections were down 15% in 2020, according to the Marketing Research Bureau. 

Given the fact that the global demand for plasma-derived medicines is rising by 6-8% every year, this trend is extremely concerning. Patients will start to feel the impact of this decline in donations in the coming months, as it takes anywhere from seven to 12 months to manufacture plasma into life-saving products. 

Like many sectors, the plasma industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order for immunocompromised patients to receive the treatments they need, donors will need to start giving plasma at the same levels they were pre-pandemic. 

If you’re an eligible plasma donor, you can make a big difference in someone else’s life by consistently donating plasma. Book your next appointment at a centre near you today.