Two people dead after donating plasma in Winnipeg

CTV’s Jeff Keele has the latest after two people died in separate incidents after donating plasma for money in Winnipeg.

Two people are dead after donating plasma at Winnipeg collection centres.

In a statement, Health Canada said blood establishments with reasonable grounds to believe a donor experienced an adverse reaction during or within 72 hours of a donation must notify the agency.

The health agency added that it received a pair of fatality reports following plasma donation at two different Grifols locations in the city, including one on Taylor Avenue and another on Innovation Drive. Health Canada confirmed the deaths took place on Oct. 25, 2025, and Jan. 30, 2026.

“It is important to clarify that the assessment of the reports is ongoing; no link has been made between the plasma donation process and the two deaths,” Health Canada said in a statement.

After receiving these reports, Health Canada visited the Winnipeg collection centres where the agency assessed compliance with blood regulations, including verifying investigations, examining records and ensuring standard operating procedures were followed.

Health Canada noted that information about the identities of the patients and reports of adverse reactions are protected under the Privacy Act.

Grifols speaks out

In a statement, Grifols said it is saddened to learn of the deaths of two of its donors.

The company said the safety of its donors is its “ultimate priority,” adding that every donor undergoes a health history evaluation and physical examination before they are deemed eligible.

“By Health Canada requirements, while extremely rare, if a donor experiences a serious adverse reaction or passes away within 72 hours of donating, it must be reported,” the statement said.

“In each of these cases, we followed this protocol upon learning of the donor’s passing. We then commenced an internal investigation related to each case, while also supporting Health Canada’s review.”

Grifols noted that plasma donation is a low-risk procedure, adding that based on current information, it has no reason to believe there’s a link between the donors’ death and plasma donation.

Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara is not ruling out ending payment for plasma in Manitoba, pending Health Canada’s review.

“Banning paid plasma is on the table for our government,” said Asagwara. “Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of Manitobans.”