Become a plasma donor

The process for donating plasma is largely the same as for blood donation. It includes registration, screening, donation and post-donation care. Although some aspects of the plasma screening process may be slightly different, the donation experience will be familiar to blood donors.

Privacy Notice to Blood Donors

Donate plasma in 8 easy steps

Step 1 – Book your appointment.

Book your appointment online, using our GiveBlood app or call 1 888 2 DONATE.

Step 2 – Get ready for your appointment.

To prepare for your donation and ensure a positive experience, we encourage you to:

✓Drink plenty of fluids the day before your donation (especially if the weather is warm).

✓Have something to eat in the hours before you donate. Avoid fatty foods such as bacon or fried food.

Step 3 – On the day of your donation.

Arrive on time and bring a valid government-issued ID showing your full name and date of birth.

Arrive at our donor centre to a friendly welcome from our team members and check in at the concierge kiosk.

Step 4 – Questionnaire

Complete the donor questionnaire on a touchscreen tablet. This process exists to protect you, as a donor, and the patients who receive your donated plasma. Your responses are completely confidential.

You’ll be able to skip this step in the future if we have your donor ID, appointment information and email address on file because we’ll be able to send you an online version of the questionnaire in advance. 

Please ensure that you read the donor brochure — What you must know to donate plasma or platelets or What you must know to donate plasma (for Plasma Donor Centres in Sudbury, Lethbridge, Kelowna, Brampton and Orleans) — as it contains important information about the donation process. 

Step 5 – Interview

A trained team member will go over your questionnaire answers with you and ask a few additional questions to confirm if you are good to donate at the time of your appointment.

Step 6 – Donate plasma

Sit back and relax in a comfy chair while you donate. You can read, chat with our team members or other donors, or just relax knowing you are helping to save lives. And don’t worry, we always use a new, sterile needle for every donation and safely dispose of used needles. We'll keep a close eye on you while you're donating to make sure you're OK. Let us know if you experience any discomfort or anxiety.

Step 7 – Relax and refresh

After your donation is finished, head to the refreshments area and relax for at least 15 minutes with a complimentary drink and snack(s) — many donors say this is their favourite part of the process.

Step 8 – Final step

Feel good knowing you just help save a life and rebook your next lifesaving donation.

Video produced before COVID-19 pandemic