The Atlantic: How Blood-Plasma Companies Target the Poorest Americans
March 15, 2018 The industry’s business model depends on there being plenty of people who need cash quickly. Medicaid, housing subsidies, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—these are some of the things that make up the backbone of the U.S.’s social safety net. And the federal government, guided by President Trump’s proposed budget for 2019, is […]
Work Day Minnesota: Plasma Centers Profit off of the Challenges Facing the Working Poor
June 26, 2018 MAPLE GROVE Claire (whose name has been changed for anonymity) has been donating plasma twice a week for three years. “My husband and I lost our cleaning-service business three years ago,” the fifty-six-year-old said outside of her local BioLife plasma collection center. “The money doesn’t cover the whole month, but we need […]
The Guardian: My career as an international blood smuggler
For years, Kathleen McLaughlin smuggled American plasma every time she entered China, home to the world’s largest and deadliest blood debacle. She had no other choice. Learn more.
The University Star: Plasma donation centers exploit college students and the poor
College students frequently struggle to make ends meet and often live paycheck to paycheck. Some use creative ways to make extra money. Plasma donation centers are well aware of this and prey on students and other impoverished individuals to make a profit. Plasma is the clear liquid portion of blood that remains once red cells, […]
Salon: Medical companies are profiting from harvesting poor peoples’ blood
December 14, 2017 Donors hope to get $30 a pop for their plasma, but sometimes they aren’t even paid what they’re promised Here’s another example of wealthy corporations sucking poor people dry—literally. While many good samaritans donate blood or bone marrow out of good will, others sell their bodily fluids on a biweekly basis just […]
Maclean’s: A bloody mess: The story behind paid plasma in Canada
November 22, 2017 Internal documents show Health Canada working hand-in-glove with a private company to push a donation model the Krever inquiry warned against. Has it failed in its role as regulator? In February 2016, Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) opened its first paid plasma collection centre in Saskatoon with a splashy media event attended by […]
CBC News: Canadian Blood Services says paid plasma clinics are harming voluntary donations
December 21, 2016 The head of Canadian Blood Services (CBS) says the agency plans to open dozens more collection facilities in the coming years amid signs it is losing volunteer donors to a for-profit clinic that pays people to give plasma. Canadian Plasma Resources, a private operator that gives gift cards to plasma donors, opened […]
The Chronicle Journal: N.S. urged to ban private plasma companies
“They literally take donors out of the public system, so you lose access to donors and you create a competitive model … and safety on all sides is an issue.” Delorey said the province is aware of concerns voiced by groups such as BloodWatch. He said he has also discussed concerns with the head of […]
The Nova Scotia Advocate: Outlaw paid-for plasma in Nova Scotia now, unions and public health advocates urge
KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – A private for-profit blood supply system is not welcome in Nova Scotia, and the provincial government should enact legislation as soon as possible to ensure private companies such as Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) do not get to set up shop here. That was the main message at this morning’s press conference organized […]
The Star: Advocacy group presses N.S. government to ban private plasma companies
Tues., April 10, 2018 HALIFAX — A national advocacy group is pressing the Nova Scotia government to ban private, for-profit plasma companies from setting up in the province. Kat Lanteigne of BloodWatch.org planned to meet with provincial Health Minister Randy Delorey today to urge him to introduce legislation prohibiting them. Read The Star article.
CTV: Advocacy group presses N.S. government to ban private plasma companies
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 3:13PM ADT HALIFAX — A national advocacy group appealed to the Nova Scotia government Tuesday to ban private, for-profit plasma companies from the province, saying the model discourages voluntary donations and compromises safety. Kat Lanteigne of BloodWatch.org met with staff from the office of provincial Health Minister Randy Delorey to press […]
The Province: B.C. joins Alberta, Ontario, Quebec in banning payment for blood and plasma
April 25, 2018 VANCOUVER — Payment for blood and plasma would be prohibited in British Columbia under legislation introduced Thursday. There are no clinics in B.C. that pay people for blood or plasma and the legislation is meant to prevent any from opening. Health Minister Adrian Dix said voluntary donations of blood through Canadian Blood […]
CTV News: B.C. joins other provinces in banning payment for blood and plasma
VANCOUVER – Payment for blood and plasma would be prohibited in British Columbia under legislation introduced Thursday. There are no clinics in B.C. that pay people for blood or plasma and the legislation is meant to prevent any from opening. Health Minister Adrian Dix said voluntary donations of blood through Canadian Blood Services help save […]
BREAKING NEWS: BC GOVERNMENT TABLES LEGISLATION TO BAN PAID PLASMA
VICTORIA – Health Minister Adrian Dix today introduced the Voluntary Blood Donations Act, which will help preserve the integrity of Canada’s public blood and plasma collection system by preventing payment for blood and plasma collection in British Columbia. “Our voluntary blood donation system is an integral resource that helps saves lives thanks to people who […]
The Star: More funding needed now to increase blood plasma donations
Paid plasma is the wrong solution for Canada to become self-sufficient in safe blood products. Voluntary plasma donations must remain legally protected in Ontario in order to safeguard the integrity of our blood supply. Securing a healthy mobilized donor base through our public blood operator, Canadian Blood Services (CBS), is critical to ensuring patients in […]
The Toronto Star: Safety of blood supply, not profits, should be Health Canada’s top concern
By DANYAAL RAZA Opinion Mon., Jan. 1, 2018 As the snow falls and the mercury drops, Health Canada has found itself in some hot water. The trouble has been years in the making — since at least 2013. That was when Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR), a profit-seeking company that pays individuals for their blood plasma, […]