Canadian Blood Services says donor death not linked to plasma donation a day earlier
HALIFAX — Canadian Blood Services has confirmed a donor died a day after giving plasma at one of its centres this fall, but the organization says the death was not linked to the donation.
Canadian Blood Services announced on Tuesday that a donor passed away a day after providing plasma at one of their centers this fall, but they assert the death was unrelated to the donation. The non-profit refused to disclose the location or timing of the individual's demise due to privacy considerations for their family. However, they affirmed the donor was a volunteer at the donation site.
In a statement, Canadian Blood Services stated their medical staff examined the donor's donation history, reviewed their most recent donation, and consulted with the donor's immediate family. The family reported that medical professionals concluded the death resulted from natural causes. Further, Canadian Blood Services disclosed that their investigation was shared with Health Canada, which concluded no additional action was necessary.
Health Canada did not respond to inquiries for comment. All blood collection facilities in Canada, including Canadian Blood Services and private entities, are legally obligated to inform Health Canada of any donor death occurring within 72 hours of donation. Plasma donations in Canada have been under intense scrutiny since March, following the revelation that Health Canada was investigating two fatalities in Winnipeg linked to plasma donations at Grifols-run centers.
The department's inquiry discovered no connection between the deaths and the donation procedure, and Grifols affirmed their donor and patient safety measures remained intact throughout. Kat Lanteigne, a former executive director of the defunct advocacy group BloodWatch, argued that all three deaths should undergo a scientific evaluation.
"There is a knowledge gap within Canada regarding the potential adverse effects of the plasma donation process," Lanteigne stated in an interview on Wednesday. "While this does not necessarily imply causation, it is crucial to rule it out to inform regulatory policy aiming to enhance plasma donation regulations... My concern as an advocate lies not in assigning blame, but in how to improve the system to safeguard donors."
BloodWatch, established by survivors and relatives of victims of Canada's tainted blood scandal, aims to strengthen the blood system. Founded in the 1970s and 1980s, the organization emerged following a public inquiry, criminal charges, and systemic overhaul that led to the formation of Canadian Blood Services. Lanteigne currently serves as a patient advocate for one of the individuals who died after donating plasma at a Grifols center in Winnipeg.
"There is a significant gap in our system that simply needs to be addressed," she remarked. "We require a better understanding to ensure our regulations are robust."
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