Canadian Blood Services reports donor death not linked to plasma donation

Canadian Blood Services has confirmed that a donor died one day after providing a plasma donation at a center this fall. The organization stated that the death was not linked to the donation process.

Following a review of donation records and discussions with the individual’s immediate family, medical providers determined the death was the result of natural causes. Canadian Blood Services shared its findings with Health Canada, which advised that no further follow-up is required. By law, all blood collection services in Canada must report any donor death occurring within 72 hours of a donation to Health Canada.

This incident follows previous scrutiny regarding plasma donations in Canada. Health Canada previously investigated the deaths of two individuals in Winnipeg who donated at centers operated by Grifols. In those instances, investigators found no link between the deaths and the collection process.