Latest news with #NationalBloodDonorWeek
Winnipeg Free Press
18-06-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Paying for plasma – a necessary evil?
South Osborne Last month, Canadian Blood Services announced its loftiest recruitment goal to date – one million new donors in the next five years. I was reminded of this last week – which, incidentally, was National Blood Donor Week – as I drove past the private, for-profit plasma clinic on Taylor Avenue. It's no coincidence, I mused, that Canada's blood authority is looking to super-size its donor base at a time when private clinics like this one are popping up across the country. The clinic on Taylor is one of two paid plasma donation centres in Winnipeg, both acquired by Grifols, a multibillion-dollar company based in Spain. According to Grifols' website, donors earn an 'honorarium' of up to $100 per donation, plus bonuses for frequent donations; individuals can donate as often as twice per week. That's not too shabby a side hustle, if you can get past the fact you're essentially selling your blood. Photo by Tracy Groenewegen Private, for-profit plasma donation clinics, such as one this one on Taylor Avenue, have been popping up across Canada over the past decade. Plasma, by the way, is the liquid part of blood and is a vital input into our health-care system. While some is used directly in blood transfusions, most of it is used to manufacture medications for treating immunodeficiencies and other medical conditions. Monetary compensation for plasma isn't exactly new – in fact, it's been going on in Winnipeg for over 35 years, longer than anywhere else in Canada. To be sure, there's a reason this particular component of blood has been commodified; so much of it is needed as source material for certain life-saving medications and Canada falls woefully short – about 85 per cent short – of meeting the growing demand through unpaid donations, according to Canadian Blood Services. The balance is made up by importing finished medications from the U.S., where paid plasma donation is commonplace. CBS itself does not pay individuals for blood donations of any kind. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. It's really no wonder, then, that CBS formed what some might call an unholy alliance with Grifols to boost collection of Canadian plasma. Under this agreement, signed in 2022, Grifols began opening more plasma donation centres in certain provinces – where paying for plasma isn't strictly banned – and will use this plasma exclusively for manufacturing medications for Canadians. At the same time, CBS committed to continuing to grow its own capacity and has since opened several new plasma donor centres. Still, treating blood like a market commodity is unsettling to me. I worry about the broader implications of monetizing human tissue and rendering transactional what began as altruistic. Tracy GroenewegenSouth Osborne community correspondent Tracy Groenewegen is a community correspondent for South Osborne. She can be reached at Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
North Wales Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Leader Live
13-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. READ MORE: Flintshire and Wrexham's best pubs and bars to take dad to on Father's Day Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available in Mold on June 9, Bangor on June 10, and Llandudno on June 13, with further dates available across the region. To find out more about donating blood, platelets, or stem cells, visit or call 0800 252 266.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Turn Up The Music, Roll Up Your Sleeve - New Zealand Blood Service Drop The Beats For Donation
Every superhero needs a theme tune, but New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) believes the best ones deserve a whole playlist. In celebration of National Blood Donor Week, NZBS has created a series of 'Blood Bangers' and 'Plasma Playlists' on Spotify with the help of some Kiwi legends. 'There are quite a few similarities between the world's most iconic superheroes and blood and plasma donors,' says New Zealand Blood Service's Marketing Communications Advisor, Ximena Smith. 'They're usually anonymous, they're known for being selfless, and most importantly, they save lives. Only 4% of the eligible population in New Zealand are regular donors, but every year they save or improve the lives of more than 30,000 people nationwide.' Timed to roughly last the length of time spent in the chair for either a whole blood or plasma donation, the playlists have been crafted by familiar names such as Tiki Taane, Fat Freddy's Drop, Shapeshifter, Erin Simpson and SYSCA's Lucy Blakiston, amongst others. Blood donors spend at least five minutes in a comfy reclining donor chair, while plasma donors get around 30-45 minutes of pure uninterrupted chill time. This means a donation is the perfect time to sit back, relax, discover some new music or hit play on your all-time favourite tunes. Whilst the big names have gotten the ball rolling, NZBS needs Aotearoa's help to create the perfect musical mix for superhero donors. It wants the guaranteed mood boosters; the slow, the soulful, the sing-alongs, and the downright party anthems. Drop the title of the song you would choose to power you through a lifesaving donation on the latest NZBS Instagram or Facebook post and together let's create the ultimate soundtrack! If you'd like to join NZBS' marvellous donor universe, start saving lives, and have the perfect reason to listen along to some Blood Bangers, check your eligibility or book an appointment by downloading the NZ Blood App, visiting or calling 0800 448 325. Blood Bangers Erin Simpson Lucy Blakiston SACHI Shapeshifter Stacey Leilua Theo Shakes Tiki Taane Plasma Playlists Fat Freddy's Drop Nico Porteous Sly Chaos The Black Seeds Troy Kingi About New Zealand Blood Service New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) in a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand. We rely on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by our health services to save thousands of lives. NZBS also provides cell and tissue products and related services to meet public health needs and maintains national oversight of organ donation and distribution.
