In the first few weeks of operation, the Canadian Blood Services plasma donation centre in Windsor is exceeding donor targets.
The plasma donation centre, located in the Roundhouse Centre on Howard Avenue, has been open since the third week of January.
"We know from the early weeks here in Windsor that the numbers are already exceeding our anticipated targets and we're confident that by the time the centre is fully operational it will be meeting its target which is around 15,000 to 18,000 litres of plasma on an annual basis," said Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services.
Sher said they are pleased to see many previous blood donors coming into the clinic.
"We have seen many more donors willing to convert over from blood to plasma than we anticipated they might, so it's actually been very very positive in terms of the number of donors who have converted," said Sher.
He said that's a good thing because of the growing need for plasma products in the country.
"The demand for immunoglobulin is rising dramatically in Canada, it's used to treat a whole variety of clinical conditions and we need more plasma in this country in order for us to make enough immunoglobulin to meet the needs of Canadian patients," said Sher.
Tecumseh resident Lisa Clarkson is one of those patients who depend on plasma donations to treat her condition, idiopathic, chronic, benign neutropenia. She uses plasma products multiple times a week so that she can live her life to the fullest.
"It saves my life every day. I do injections twice a week and that injection allows me to stay healthy, to be a mom, to be a worker and in the community being a part of my family's life," said Clarkson.
She said it was wonderful to see the plasma donation centre so full for the official grand opening event on Wednesday.
"It's heartwarming. It means that they value other people's lives just as much as their own and it warms my heart. I get to live another day in my life because of their donations," said Clarkson.
Appointments to donate plasma at the new centre can be made online.
First-time donors should set aside about an hour for the appointment.