Two people — including a 22-year-old Nigerian international student — have died after donating blood plasma at a paid collection centre in Winnipeg.
The deaths are currently being reviewed by Health Canada, which confirmed it received two reports of fatal adverse reactions involving plasma donors — one in October last year and another on January 30, 2026.
The federal health regulator said investigations are ongoing and no direct link has yet been established between the plasma donations and the deaths. Meanwhile, the company operating the centres said it has “no reason to believe” the incidents are connected to plasma collection.
One of the deceased donors was Rodiyat Alabede, who died on October 25 after reportedly visiting the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre on Taylor Avenue to donate plasma.
A close friend of the student, Mary Ann Chika, described her as cheerful and ambitious.
“She was always happy and had so many dreams when she arrived in Canada,” Chika said, adding that the late student meant a lot to her.
Originally from Nigeria, Alabede relocated to Canada in 2022 to study at the University of Winnipeg, where she hoped to pursue a career in social work and support people living with disabilities.
Chika said she was not present when her friend went for the plasma donation but later had to identify her at the hospital after she was pronounced dead.
According to her, doctors reportedly said the student’s heart stopped while she was donating plasma at the centre, and she had already passed away before arriving at the hospital.
Health Canada also confirmed that a second fatal reaction was reported on January 30 following a donation at another Grifols Plasma Donation Centre. Authorities did not disclose the identity of the second individual due to privacy laws.
Grifols, which specialises in producing plasma-based medicines, operates more than a dozen plasma collection centres across Canada. The company has been operating in Winnipeg since 2022 after acquiring Canadian Plasma Resources and currently runs two facilities in the city — one on Taylor Avenue and another on Innovation Drive — where donors are paid for plasma.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said an internal review had been conducted and that available information does not indicate any connection between the deaths and the plasma donation process.
According to the company’s website, plasma donors can receive payments of up to $100 per donation, with additional bonuses offered for frequent donations. For instance, donors may receive a $50 bonus after completing 10 donations within six weeks.
All plasma collection facilities in Canada are regulated by Health Canada and are required to report any serious medical reactions that occur during donation or within 72 hours afterward.
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