Canada Blood Donation Rules

Canada`s provinces and territories have the authority to decide how they wish to collect plasma in their respective jurisdictions. [42] While some provinces prohibit private clinics and corporations from paying for their plasma donors, some clinics in Winnipeg, Manitoba, have been paying for their plasma donors for thirty years. [42] In order to provide Canadians with a secure supply of source plasma to address potential bottlenecks or threats to the Canadian system, Canadian Blood Services has therefore identified increasing its plasma donations as an active priority. [41] However, as a not-for-profit organization, Canadian Blood Services continues to adhere to its current plasma donor policy by collecting only plasma from voluntary, unpaid donors. [41] Health Canada, which regulates the establishment of blood donors, can only change the criteria if evidence is provided to demonstrate that this does not increase the risk. In the new request for a policy review, Canadian Blood Services is asking its regulator to approve a change in the eligibility criteria for blood and plasma donors that would allow blood donation clinics to stop asking gay and bisexual men, as well as others in the LGBTQ2S+ community, if they have had sex with a man. “We want to be an inclusive and welcoming organization for all potential donors with minimal restrictions. This would allow us to accurately and reliably identify people who may have a transfusion-transmitted infection, regardless of gender or sexual orientation,” reads an update on the fundraising agency`s website announcing the submission. This means that a new donor who passes the screening will leave a plasma donation at the clinic. This sample is tested for a variety of blood-borne diseases such as syphilis, hepatitis B and C and HIV. Then it is held for at least 60 days.

“While this is an important step in our journey toward more equitable blood donation policies and testing processes, we recognize that these new criteria may be barriers to donation for some individuals,” Canadian Blood Services wrote in an update Tuesday. “Future changes will not be approved until Health Canada is satisfied that the changes are safe. Health Canada is committed to protecting the safety of Canada`s blood transfusion system. We are also committed to supporting blood and plasma donation policies in Canada that are non-discriminatory and science-based,” Health Canada said in a statement. He can come back and donate again, but the first donation will not be sent for treatment and converted into medical products until he provides a second sample, which is also negative at least 60 days after the first. There is no substitute for human blood – all transfusions use blood from a donor. The donated blood stock must be constantly replenished. The donated wafers can be kept for up to five days. Donated red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days. Traveling to certain countries may prevent you from donating blood for different periods of time, depending on whether certain diseases, such as malaria, are common in the country being visited. The criteria for travelling abroad are subject to change, so please discuss your eligibility with donor centre staff.

Canadian Blood Services analyzed the available research to find the surest way to make the change. These include a research programme on MSM (men who have sex with men) and a UK FAIR (2020 For the Assessment of Individualised Risk) report on blood donation and risk. For breastfeeding mothers, if you have a well-established milk supply, you can safely donate blood. Since blood donation deprives the body of fluid and water balance alters the milk supply, it is especially important to eat a rich meal before giving and drink plenty of water after donation. “We have more evidence than ever before. this indicates that this change does not affect the safety or relevance of the blood supply. Currently, the risk of introducing HIV into the bloodstream is extremely low and, according to the evidence, the proposed change will not increase this risk,” says their website. Canadian Blood Services, in collaboration with Héma-Québec, administers the MSM Research Grants Program. [26] This program is funded by contributions from Health Canada, which has invested $3 million in the research program. [26] The objective of the MSM Research Grants Program is to generate a range of evidence-based research that will help develop and inform alternative screening approaches for blood or plasma donors, thereby ensuring a more integrative donor screening process for the Canadian blood system. [26] [27] The MSM Research Grant Program is expected to contribute to the development and information of current MSM eligibility criteria while ensuring the safety of Canada`s blood supply.

[26] [27] Starting in November 2018, the MSM Research Grants Program will fund a total of 15 research projects. [26] [28] Canadian Blood Services (CBS) has expanded the eligibility of certain men who have sex with men to donate plasma at their donation clinics in Calgary and London, Ontario. If you are below 147 cm (4` 10″), you can become eligible when you reach the age of 23 or climb up the table. Remember that all donors, regardless of age, must weigh at least 50 kg (110 lbs) to be considered eligible for blood and plasma donation. For plasma donation at the following sites, you need to weigh at least 50 kg (110 lbs) and 145 cm (4`10“): “This means, in my opinion, that we are increasing the safety of the blood system overall,” he said. The source plasma is used to make medicines,” she wrote in an electronic statement. The manufacturing process of these drugs involves complex steps applied to a large number of plasma donations, and in this process, potential pathogens in the plasma are eliminated. You can donate blood after most vaccinations if you feel well.

You will need to wait two to four weeks to donate after being vaccinated against chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella or smallpox, or receiving the oral polio vaccine. Before making a donation, a parent or guardian must review and sign the following form so that an eligible 16-year-old can donate: “This additional security process and our ability to freeze and store plasma for up to one year increases plasma donation capacity earlier than with other blood products.” It`s common to be nervous about donating blood if you`ve never done it before. Rest assured that fainting before, during or after blood donation is rare. The staff is able to make the experience as smooth as possible. It may be helpful not to look at the needle when it is inserted, and you do not need to see the blood. While donating blood, you can access the internet wirelessly or watch TV or a movie to keep your mind busy. However, she said Canadian Blood Services does not consider this program a pilot project, as she hopes the donation rules will change soon, making the process unnecessary. First, the organization must prove that it is safe. In 2015, Canadian Blood Services launched the Cord Blood Bank.

[44] The Umbilical Cord Blood Bank was established after Canada`s provincial and territorial ministries of health (with the exception of Quebec) committed to establishing an ethnically, nationally and publicly funded umbilical cord blood stem cell bank. [47] To meet this commitment, an investment of $48 million was made, of which Canadian Blood Services committed to raise $12.5 million in public funds. [47] [49] With this promise, Canadian Blood Services launched its first fundraising campaign for all Canadians, earning them more than $12.5 million, exceeding their original goal. [47] Today, the Canadian Blood Services Cord Blood Bank exists as a national public health facility available in four locations across Canada:[44][47] Anyone in good health over the age of 16 can donate blood. Due to the theoretical risk of vcJD, Health Canada concluded that the postponement of donors who had spent time in the following locations balances the safety of Canada`s blood and plasma supply with the need for donors: In June, the United Kingdom adopted a behaviour-based policy that will allow gays, to bisexuals and MSM from: Donate blood. Plasma and platelets without postponement period. Read more: The Agency calls for an end to the ban on blood donation for men who have sex with men this year Currently, men who voluntarily donate blood are asked to find out if they have had sex with a man in the past three months. Women who want to donate are asked if they have had sex with a man who has had sex with another man in the past 12 months in the last three months…