Labs and Groups

Presseau Group

Presseau Group

Expanding Plasma Donation in Canada

Plasma can be donated at some blood donor clinics—it is a protein-rich liquid in blood that helps other blood components circulate throughout the body. Plasma is used to treat bleeding disorders, liver diseases, and many types of cancer. Gay, bisexual and other men who are having sex with men (gbMSM) cannot donate blood or plasma if they are sexually active.

New screening questions and more inclusive eligibility criteria are being explored that could be used to allow some sexually active gbMSM to donate. We aim to explore the acceptability of additional screening questions among gbMSM, identify any further barriers to donating plasma, and develop supports to address these barriers.

 

Our London Survey for guys into guys is now open. The survey topics include plasma donation and a proposed pilot plasma donation program for some gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. For more information about participating in the survey, please email us: plasma@ohri.ca

We are now recruiting men who have sex with men for interviews in Calgary. The interview topics include plasma donation, plasma donation policies and a proposed pilot plasma donation program for some men who have sex with men. For more information about participating in the interviews, please email us: plasma@ohri.ca

There are also many other ways to get involved in this project.  See further details in the infographics below or email plasma@ohri.ca for more information on other opportunities to get involved.

 

 

infographic of a study titled

We believe that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should be involved in the conversation as Canada moves to different screening approaches. Our research is designed to engage the voices and experiences of gay, bisexual and other men having sex with men at every step of the project. 

infographic of a study titled

 

Project Team

  • PIs: Justin Presseau, Mindy Goldman
  • Co-Is: Paul MacPherson, Sheila O'Brien, Joanne Otis, Marc Germain, Dana Devine, Don Lapierre, Andrew Rosser, Elisabeth Vesnaver, Terrie Butler-Foster, Nolan Hill
     
  • London Local Advisory Group: Taim Bilal Al-Bakri, Broderic Clement-Thorne, Wil Osbourne-Sorrell, Richard MacDonagh, Taylor Randall, Kyle Rubini
  • Calgary Local Advisory Group: William Bridel, Andrew Clapperton, Mark Greaves, Maximillian Labrecque, Glenndl Miguel, Shane Orvis, Marco Reid
  • Project coordinator: Emily Gibson

Funded by: Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services