/R E P E A T -- Plasma self-sufficiency strategy - A new Héma-Québec donation centre to come to Lévis in 2026!/

MONTRÉAL, April 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Héma-Québec is proud to announce a new donation centre in Lévis, slated to open in 2026. This will be the province's 13th donation centre and the first on Québec City's south shore. The Lévis centre will be fully dedicated to plasma donations and play an important role in supporting the province's objective to be fully self-sufficient in immunoglobulin. This type of medication is used in neurology and oncology, among other fields, to treat cancers as well as several autoimmune diseases and syndromes that severely impact the daily lives of thousands of Quebecers.

"Every new donation centre brings us closer to our shared objective: being able to meet the needs of local patients through more locally made donations," said Héma-Québec President and Chief Executive Officer Nathalie Fagnan. "This new centre in Lévis is an important step in our self-sufficiency strategy, especially when you consider the vibrancy of the area and the generosity of its people."

Lévis: A strategic choice

Located in the heart of the Chaudière-Appalaches region, Lévis is a highly strategic choice for a new donation centre, with easy access from highway 20 (exit 325). Plasma donors from Lévis, Bellechasse and surrounding areas will no longer have to trek into Québec City to make a donation.  

Lévis has a population of over 156,000, and it's growing steadily. It is one of the five cities in Québec with the best quality of life, according to several happiness index rankings, which Héma-Québec believes makes it the perfect setting for community generosity.

"Héma-Québec's mission already resonates greatly with donors in the region," said Luc Lévesque, Vice-President of Blood Products and Mother's Milk. "The new permanent donation centre in Lévis is a recognition of their generosity and a quicker, easier way for them to make a real difference in the lives of other people."

Modern, donor-focused design

The new 5,700 sq. ft. donation centre is a safe, warm and welcoming environment with 10 donor chairs at the time of opening and a goal of 15,000 annual plasma donations, once the centre is fully operational. The centre is in an ideal, easily accessible location, at 95 Président-Kennedy Road. The new centre will bring with it about twenty jobs with Héma-Québec.

Donate plasma and share your health

Plasma is the liquid part of blood and carries red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Plasma is rich in proteins like immunoglobulin, which are the basic ingredients in a number of specialized medicines that thousands of people rely on for their survival and well-being. Plasma plays a vital role in treating a number of immunodeficiencies and neurological disorders. Héma-Québec currently distributes about 500,000 units of around 50 different specialized medicines to hospitals across Québec each year, and demand is only growing.

Héma-Québec set a goal to reach 42% self-sufficiency in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) by 2026–2027. Héma-Québec's immunoglobulin self-sufficiency currently stands at 35%, but maintaining a balance between growing demand and donations remains a major challenge. Héma-Québec's strategy aims to ensure the safety of our plasma supply so that plasma-derived specialized medicines can be provided to patients in need, right here in Québec. New donation centres, like the one in Lévis, are a vital part of this strategy.

About Héma-Québec

Héma-Québec's mission is to efficiently meet the Québec population's needs for blood and other high-quality biological products of human origin. Héma-Québec has more than 1,900 employees, more than 200,000 donors of blood, plasma, stem cells, mothers' milk and human tissue, as well as thousands of volunteers at blood drive sites. Héma-Québec delivers nearly 800,000 human-derived biological products to Québec hospitals every year to meet patients' needs.

SOURCE Héma-Québec

Information: Josée Larivée, Media line: 514 832-0871, [email protected], hemaquebec.ca