Two individuals, including a 22-year-old Nigerian international student, have died after donating blood plasma at collection centres in Winnipeg that offer financial compensation
The incidents are currently being reviewed by the federal health regulator, Health Canada, which confirmed it received two reports involving fatal adverse reactions linked to plasma donors. According to the agency, one case occurred in October last year while the second was reported on January 30, 2026.
Health Canada stated that investigations are still ongoing and that authorities have not yet established any direct connection between the plasma donations and the deaths. Meanwhile, the company operating the centres maintains that there is currently no evidence suggesting the donations caused the fatalities.
One of the victims has been identified as Rodiyat Alabede, a 22-year-old Nigerian student who died on October 25 after reportedly attending a plasma donation appointment at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre.
Friends of the young woman described her as cheerful, ambitious and deeply committed to helping others. A close friend, Mary Ann Chika, said Alabede had been full of hope and dreams when she moved abroad.
“She was always happy and optimistic. She had so many plans for her future, especially after arriving in Canada,” Chika said. “She meant so much to me and held a very special place in my heart.”
Originally from Nigeria, Alabede relocated to Winnipeg in 2022 to pursue her studies at the University of Winnipeg. According to her friends, she aspired to become a social worker and hoped to dedicate her career to supporting people living with disabilities.
Chika said she was not present when Alabede went for the plasma donation but was later called upon to identify her friend at the hospital after she was pronounced dead.
The plasma donation centre where Alabede visited is operated by Grifols, a Spain-based pharmaceutical firm known for producing plasma-derived medicines used to treat various medical conditions. The company operates more than a dozen plasma collection centres across Canada.
Grifols began operating in Winnipeg in 2022 after acquiring the Canadian company Canadian Plasma Resources. It currently runs two donation centres in the city one on Taylor Avenue and another on Innovation Drive where individuals can receive payments in exchange for donating plasma.
In an emailed statement addressing the deaths, a spokesperson for Grifols said the company conducted an internal review of the cases.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
According to the company’s website, plasma donors can receive payments of up to $100 per donation. Additional incentives are offered for frequent donations, including bonuses for completing multiple donations within a set timeframe. For instance, donors may receive an extra $50 after completing ten donations within six weeks.
Facilities that collect blood plasma in Canada operate under strict federal oversight. Under current regulations, centres must report any serious medical reaction experienced by a donor either during the donation process or within 72 hours afterward to Health Canada.
The regulator says it is continuing to assess the reported cases and will determine whether any regulatory or safety actions are required once the review is completed.
