CBC News has learned two people — including a 22-year-old international student — died after giving plasma at Winnipeg collection centres that pay people for their donations.
The deaths are under review by Health Canada, which confirmed it received two reports of fatal adverse reactions in plasma donors — one in October of last year and another on Jan. 30, 2026.
The federal regulator says it is still assessing these reports and has not made a link between the plasma collection and deaths.
Rodiyat Alabede died on Oct. 25 after friends say the 22-year-old went to an appointment at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre on Taylor Avenue to give plasma.
There are some great documentaries about these predatory companies. Monetary compensation for blood/organ donation must be banned, its an obvious disaster unless we implement UBI.