A 22-year-old Nigerian international student is among two people who died after donating blood plasma at a collection centre in Winnipeg, Canada, with the incidents now under review by health authorities.
Canada’s federal health regulator confirmed that it received two reports of fatal adverse reactions involving plasma donors — one in October 2025 and another on January 30, 2026 — but says it has not yet established a direct link between the donations and the deaths.
One of the victims, Rodiyat Alabede, died on October 25 after reportedly visiting the Grifols Plasma Donation Centreto donate plasma.
Friends said Alabede, who moved from Nigeria to Winnipeg in 2022, was a student at the University of Winnipeg and aspired to become a social worker to support people living with disabilities.
According to her close friend, Mary Ann Chika, Alabede’s heart reportedly stopped beating while she was donating plasma at the centre. She was later pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.
“She was always happy. She had so many dreams, especially when she came to Canada,” Chika said, describing her as someone who had a deep passion for helping others.
Meanwhile, Health Canada confirmed that a second fatal adverse reaction was reported on January 30 following a donation at another Grifols plasma centre located on Innovation Drive in Winnipeg. Authorities have not released details about the identity of the second victim due to privacy laws.
The Spanish-based company, which produces plasma-derived medicines, operates more than a dozen plasma collection centres across Canada and began operations in Winnipeg in 2022 after acquiring Canadian Plasma Resources. Donors at the centres can receive payments of up to $100 per donation, with additional bonuses based on donation frequency.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Grifols said an internal review had been conducted and that the company currently has “no reason to believe” the deaths were connected to plasma donation.
Health Canada said it is still assessing the reports, noting that all plasma collection centres in the country are required to report serious reactions that occur during donation or within 72 hours afterward.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing.