Advocates Tour Alberta to Stop Plasma Privatization

Friends of Medicare are partnering with BloodWatch.org advocate Kat Lanteigne and touring Alberta September 12 – 16 to campaign in support of voluntary plasma collection and against the private for-profit plasma lobby.

"Private plasma clinics will not benefit the people of Alberta and will not save the taxpayers any money, all it will do is create competition for our blood plasma which we will not have access too,” said Lanteigne.

Canadian Blood Service has stated they have no plans to purchase plasma from for-profit corporation Canadian Plasma Resources, who have been banned from operating in Ontario but are now operating in Saskatoon.

“Thanks to the work of advocates like Kat Lanteigne in Ontario, for-profit plasma clinics like Canadian Plasma Resources are out of the picture there. We’re touring Alberta to educate the public and continue our campaign. We want the Alberta government to pass legislation similar to Ontario’s to support our voluntary system,” said Friends of Medicare Executive Director Sandra Azocar.

"The only way to guarantee that blood and plasma collected in Canada will go to saving the life of a fellow Canadian is to donate to Canadian Blood Services. Any competition from for-profit providers should be stopped to support Canadian Blood Services efforts to expand our voluntary collection,” added Lanteigne.

“With the Wildrose speaking favourably of paid plasma clinics during this springs legislature session, we want to have guarantees in law to stop blood-broker clinics regardless of which government is in power. We hope to see action on this issue in Alberta to follow recommendations for 100% voluntary collection from the World Health Organization and the Krever Inquiry into the 1980s tainted blood scandal,” said Azocar.

The tour will stop at 5 cities, with doors opening at 6:45 and events starting at 7 pm in all stops:

• Monday, September 12 – Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization 500 11 St S
• Tuesday, September 13 – Medicine Hat College Room S159 299 College Dr
• Wednesday, September 14 – Calgary Parkdale United Church 2918 8 Ave NW
• Thursday, September 15 – Edmonton Central Lions Seniors Centre 11113 113 St
• Friday, September 16 – Red Deer Sheraton Hotel 3310 50 Ave

Visit http://www.bloodwatch.org for more information