It's been 6 months since Windsor got a plasma donation clinic. This is how it's going

It's been about six months since Windsor's first plasma donation clinic opened its doors to donors.

So far, uptake for donation appointments has been good, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) says.

"The support we've gotten from the community right off the bat, through through to now, has been even better than we expected,"said Greg Friest, business development manager at Windsor's plasma donation centre, located at the Roundhouse Cemtre.

"We're exceeding targets and we're looking forward to continued success here in Windsor-Essex."

Friest says they typically have about 300 appointments a week and areconsistently 80 to 85 per cent booked. A Canadian Blood Services spokesperson said they have1,730 people who have donated plasma in Windsor.

They also have a cadre of about 125 regular donors who donate as often as they are able, including weekly, Friest said.

"We have several that just kind of build it into their weekly routine, whether it be Monday morning or Wednesday evening. And we can't thank those donors enough for their generosity," he said.

"Obviously, there's still room to grow and there's a rising demand for plasma donors, but to start out, especially in the first six months, the results have been extraordinary."

Windsor's blood donation centre closed last July and the plasma clinic opened in January. They marked six months last week.

WATCH: The community has stepped up to give at Windsor's plasma donation centre

The community has stepped up to give at Windsor's new plasma donation centre

7 months ago

Duration 1:44

Windsorites have been giving of their plasma. Canadian Blood services celebrated the official opening of its new plasma donation centre on Wednesday, and CEO Graham Sher says the community has met and exceeded their high hopes for the centre more than a month after the doors first opened. The CBC's Meg Roberts spoke with Sher, as well as plasma recipient Lisa Clarkson and longtime blood donor Bill Kouvelas, who donated plasma for the first time on Wednesday.

Plasma is the fluidcomponent ofblood thathelps circulate nutrients, hormones and proteins throughout the body.It's used in key medications and transfusions and Canadian Blood Services says its plasma is used to make medications known as plasma protein products.

Because plasma regenerates in the body within 48 hours, people can donate much more frequently than whole blood: about everyseven days, compared to 56 days for men donating whole blood and 84 for women.

The transition to plasma donation has been smooth, Friest says. While the process takes a little bit longer regular donors should plan on it taking 30 to 60 minutes, or as long as 90 minutes for a first-time donor he says people have been willing.

"From our blood donor clinic to the plasma donor clinic has been very seamless," he said. "Our donor base is is very loyal and they've been coming out in big numbers."

Friest says the process for donating plasma is very similar to donating blood: Potential donors come in and complete a health questionnaire and screening before the donating process begins.At the end, donors can grab a snack and be on their way.

The need for plasma is on the rise in Canada, Friest says, and Canada is only 20 per cent self-sufficient in generating its required plasma supply.

It's especially apparent over the summer months, when Friest says the need doesn't slow but donations often do.

"People are busier in the summer, of course due to, vacations, there's more time to be spent outside," Friest said. "But that is that doesn't stop what we do. There's a rising demand for for donors and we have to put that call to action out there."

When Windsor's blood donation clinic closed,some longtime donors said they were worried about donating plasma and weren't sold on making the switch.

LISTEN: Dedicated blood donor tries out new plasma clinic

Windsor Morning6:28Dedicated blood donor tries out new Windsor plasma clinic

For almost a decade, a young woman from Windsor had been donating blood regularly - for a reason that's very close to her heart. Just a few days ago, she made her first plasma donation at the new clinic on Howard Avenue.

But others said while it took a little longer, it was a good experience.

"I felt a lot better [than I did donating whole blood], Ihad a very positive experience," said donor Kelsey Boisat the time.

From here, Friest says he hopes they can continue to grow plasma donation.

"In a perfect world, we want every appointment filled."