Two patients have tragically passed away after donating blood at clinics in Winnipeg, Canada.
As reported by the Daily Mail, two people, international student Rodiyat Alabede, and another person who is yet to be identified, died after donating plasma at different Grifols locations in Winnipeg.
Grifols is a Spanish pharmaceutical company that operates in over 110 different countries. They supply blood plasma-based products, and operate blood clinics across several countries, including Canada. The company offers up to $100 CAD per donation, as well as a $50 CAD bonus for every tenth donation made within a six-week period.
Alabede, 22, was donating plasma at the Taylor Avenue location in Winnipeg when she fainted during the donation process on October 25. Her heart tragically stopped, and she died when she was on her way to hospital in an ambulance. Alabede's friend, Mary Ann Chika, gave a statement. She said that their family have not been told what exactly caused her death.
"We're all in the dark. It would give us a lot of closure to know what actually happened," she said.
The other patient died after a donation on January 30. The details around the other patient and their tragic death are currently unknown.
Both of the deaths were reported to Health Canada within 72 hours. This is something that is required by law.
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The Health Agency Is Still Reviewing Their Deaths
The Canadian health agency is still reviewing the two deaths. They said in a statement that "there is no reason to believe" that the incidents were related to the act of donating blood.
Grifols echoed this sentiment. They said, "Based on the information available at this time, we have no reason to believe that there is a correlation between the donors' passing and plasma donation." Grifols stressed that there is rigorous background checks and tests done to donors before they can donate blood or plasma. They said in a statement that "the health and safety of our donors is our ultimate priority."
We hope that the two can rest in peace, and that some light is shed on this situation.
