Pay-for-plasma clinic coming to Cambridge
Posted May 24, 2025 06:00:00 AM.
Last Updated May 24, 2025 05:57:39 PM.
For years, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) has operated on a voluntary donation system, meaning people made donations without expecting anything in return.
In fact, Ontario has a Voluntary Blood Donations Act, making it illegal to pay someone for a donation.
But, that is changing.
Diminishing supply amid declining donations has forced CBS to put all options on the table to maintain the supply of plasma needed to make life saving immunoglobulins.
Grifols Biopharma and Healthcare Solutions currently operates 14 American style blood clinics in Canada that pay upwards of $100 for a donation. The company says it will be opening a clinic in Cambridge, but an exact date has not been given.
“Preparations for the planned opening of the Cambridge Grifols Plasma Donation Centre are proceeding smoothly and in line with our expected opening in the next couple of months,” the company said in a statement to 570 NewsRadio.
That statement also said the company plans to open two more clinics in the province this summer.
To maintain the supply, CBS regularly uses plasma from the U.S.
Grifols said, “every unit of plasma collected in Cambridge is collected for the benefit of Canadians, including patients in this community.”
The Cambridge clinic is expected to be located at 600 Hespeler Road.
