Héma-Québec calls for more plasma donors in the Outaouais

Tashi Farmilo

Héma-Québec is calling on residents of the Outaouais region to donate plasma in greater numbers as part of a province-wide effort to increase self-sufficiency in plasma-derived medicines. Despite a steady rise in donations at the Gatineau Plasma Donor Centre, which recorded more than 16,000 donations in 2024 compared to around 14,000 in 2023, the total remains below the organization’s target of 20,000 annual donations.

“This year, we are projecting just over 18,000 donations at the Gatineau centre, which is good progress, but we are still short of our goal,” said Marc-Antoine Turcotte, spokesperson for Héma-Québec. “We need about 100 more donors every week to meet our targets and improve the province’s overall plasma self-sufficiency.”

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains essential components such as antibodies, clotting factors, and proteins. These elements are used to produce critical medications for patients suffering from immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, and severe burns or trauma. Plasma donations are processed into products like immunoglobulins and coagulation factors, which are often required for lifelong treatments.

“Plasma is still not as well known as blood donation,” Turcotte noted. “But it plays an equally vital role in helping patients who depend on it to stay healthy or to survive.”

Plasma collected in Quebec is sent to pharmaceutical manufacturers that specialize in fractionating the plasma into therapeutic products. These medications are then returned to Quebec and distributed across hospitals based on demand. While the plasma donated in Gatineau may not be used locally, it contributes to a broader system that supports patients throughout the province.

“The reality is that we are still reliant on foreign sources, particularly the United States, to meet our needs,” Turcotte explained. “By increasing local donations, we are taking steps toward being more independent and ensuring we have consistent access to these life-saving medications.”

Unlike whole blood donations, plasma is collected through a process called plasmapheresis. A machine separates the plasma from other blood components, which are then returned to the donor. The process takes about 70 minutes. Because plasma regenerates more quickly than other blood components, people can donate more often, up to once every six days.

“The experience is generally comfortable,” said Turcotte. “Many donors come back regularly. In fact, we’ve seen that once someone starts donating plasma, they tend to stick with it. In Gatineau last year, we had close to 3,000 donors, and on average, each gave plasma more than five times.”

To be eligible, donors must be at least 18 years old, weigh over 50 kilograms, be in good general health, and meet travel and medication screening criteria. Héma-Québec offers an online questionnaire at hema-quebec.ca to help people determine if they qualify before booking an appointment.

“This is not just about meeting a quota,” said Turcotte. “Each donation has a real, direct impact on the life of someone in need. Whether it’s a child with a rare immune disorder or an adult recovering from a major injury, plasma is often part of what keeps them alive and thriving.”