By Dave Branco

Our Blood Counts

A decade after blood centre closure, community pushes to bring life-saving plasma donations back to the north

Jun 16, 2025 | 2:42 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – In recent years, a growing movement has emerged to revitalize blood donation efforts and address the blood supply donation needs in Northern British Columbia. Many residents are advocating for the establishment of a plasma donor center in Prince George, which would help support Canadian Blood Services. The campaign continues to push for the restoration of blood donation in the region.

The 10th anniversary of the closure of a Canadian Blood Services centre has recently passed. The centre, once located at the Aspen Plaza, had long been a well-loved spot for locals to donate blood, and for many, the centre’s shutdown still stirs strong emotions.

“We’re really determined to show Canadian Blood Services that Northern B.C. matters. And this is not just a Prince George thing. Prince George, by its raw population, would not have the number of donors to support this. But if you look around the northern interior and then all around northern B.C., we think we can make this work. We’ve had support from five municipalities”

Mark Karjaluoto

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Our Blood Counts

The vision of the new donation centre is to create a place where people can donate blood plasma, rather than whole blood, which is what most people recognize as a traditional blood donation clinic.

Chantelle Messier, a registered nurse and dedicated committee member with Our Blood Counts, is deeply committed to establishing a center. As a recipient of blood that once saved her life, she is fully invested in this initiative.

“ I myself have needed blood products after surgical interventions to keep me alive. I’ve seen how plasma and its derivatives help people with chronic conditions. In the North, our friends and family.”

Chantelle Messier

Our Blood Counts

“Our Blood Counts” has launched a petition that has garnered over 1,700 signatures in support of establishing a new plasma donor center in Northern BC. According to Mark Karjaluoto, a member of Our Blood Counts, the more signatures they collect, the greater the likelihood that Canadian Blood Services will collaborate with them to make this initiative a reality.

Currently, residents are required to travel to southern British Columbia or Alberta to donate blood and plasma, which are essential for saving lives.

For more information, visit the “Our Blood Counts” page on Facebook.

Email: Dave.Branco@pattisonmedia.com

TikTok: @DaveBrancoVJ