There's been a sweeping overhaul of the process for blood and plasma donation in Canada, and a group of second-year Medical Laboratory Science students got a firsthand look at the life-saving impact of plasma donation during a tour of the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) Plasma Centre.
The visit provided students with an in-depth understanding of the donation process, plasma collection technology, and the crucial role plasma plays in medical treatments.
Students in the Medical Laboratory Science program get a tour of the Canadian Blood Services Plasma Centre in Windsor, Ont. in February 2025.
During the tour, students observed live plasma donations in progress, with donors graciously allowing them to witness the apheresis process. A CBS guide explained the step-by-step procedure, detailing how plasma is separated from the donor's blood and how the remaining components are safely returned to the donor.
Many students found the experience eye-opening, especially seeing the donation process up close.
"Seeing the actual donation itself was really interesting. I had never been inside a donation center before," one student remarked.
Others appreciated the technological aspects of plasma collection. "My favorite part was seeing how the machine actually works during plasma donation," another student shared.
Students also gained a deeper appreciation for the scale and importance of plasma donation. "I don't think I realized just how many donations CBS receives regularly. It makes me proud of our community," a student commented.
Following the donation floor visit, the students went behind the scenes to see how plasma is tested, frozen, packaged, and shipped to manufacturing facilities. The group also learned about how plasma-derived therapies, such as immune globulin, are made and their importance for patients with immune deficiencies and other medical conditions.
One of the tour's most exciting revelations was CBS's recent agreement to establish a plasma product manufacturing plant in Montreal. This development will allow Canada to process more of its own plasma donations rather than relying on international facilities, enhancing the country's ability to meet national plasma needs.
The visit highlighted the high demand for plasma and its diverse medical uses. Some students admitted they previously believed whole blood donations were more critical, but the tour helped reshape their understanding.
"Plasma products are very in demand. I had a misconception that whole blood was needed more, but I now see how essential plasma is," one student noted.
Another student expressed surprise at how much plasma Canada imports to meet patient needs.
"I didn't know that Canada only meets 25 per cent of its plasma needs from local donors. As a donor myself, I hope more people sign up so we can become more self-sufficient."
Many students left the tour feeling inspired and motivated to spread awareness about plasma donation. The news that the CBS Plasma Centre was fully booked for donations that day was especially encouraging.
"It was great to see the centre so busy. Hopefully, more people continue to donate," one student shared.
With a new understanding of the donation process and its impact, the students walked away with a deeper appreciation for the role of plasma in modern medicine - and a renewed commitment to encouraging others to donate.
