Nigerian Student Dies After Plasma Donation in Canada

A A 22-year-old Nigerian international student has died in Canada after donating plasma at a private collection centre in Winnipeg, an incident now under review by Canadian health authorities.

The student, Rodiyat Alabede, reportedly died on October 25, 2025, after attending a plasma donation appointment at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre in Winnipeg. Health Canada confirmed it has received two reports of fatal adverse reactions involving plasma donors at facilities operated by the company in the city.

Alabede had moved from Nigeria to Canada in 2022 to pursue her studies at the University of Winnipeg, where she was working toward her ambition of becoming a social worker.

Her close friend, Mary Ann Chika, described her as a lively and determined young woman with big dreams for the future.

“She was always happy. She had so many dreams, especially when she came to Canada. She held a big place in my heart,” Chika said.

Chika explained that she was not present during the donation but was later called to the hospital, where she identified her friend after she had been pronounced dead.

According to her, doctors informed her that Alabede’s heart stopped while she was donating plasma at the centre.

“And before she arrived at the hospital, she had already passed,” she said.

Health Canada also disclosed that a second donor died on January 30, 2026, following another plasma donation at the same facility.

The agency said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents, adding that no direct link has yet been established between the plasma donations and the deaths.

In a statement, Grifols said it had carried out an internal review following the reports.

“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,” a company spokesperson stated.

Grifols operates plasma donation centres where donors receive financial compensation. According to the company, donors may earn up to $100 per donation, with additional incentives such as bonuses for frequent donors.

Health Canada said it will continue to monitor the situation as part of its regulatory oversight of plasma collection activities across the country.