Public gets first opportunity to analyze Blood Services Processing Plant at Doors Open Ottawa

Canadian Blood Services has a huge role to play in the lives of Canadians. Since 1998, this not-for-profit, charitable organization has managed a safe, secure and cost-effective blood system for Canadians through ground-breaking research, collecting donations and testing and processing blood for use in hospitals and clinics across the country.

This year, Ottawa residents get their first opportunity to see this important work firsthand with a look inside the organization’s processing plant. As part of Doors Open Ottawa, the plant at 40 Concourse Gate will open to the public on Saturday, June 6.

Canadian Blood Services is excited to share their work with the wider public and to clear up some common misconceptions. “A lot of people think blood goes straight from the clinic to the hospital,” said Pamela Mullins, Canadian Blood Services’ Director of Donor Relations, “but there are a lot of steps in between to make sure the product is safe and effective.”

After they arrive at the plant, donations go through a strict and intensive course of action to process blood and blood by-products. Mandatory safety precautions, proper storage and labeling are just a few of the steps that need to take place before the products are distributed. The facility’s operations are an important middle step between the donation clinic and use in hospitals across the country.

Doors Open Ottawa visitors are invited to witness the entire process. “We invite everyone to come see for themselves what happens to blood after it’s donated,” said Mullins.

The processing plant has only been housed in a separate building for a little more than a decade. Canadian Blood Services originally operated from Ottawa’s downtown core, and the processing was done on the same premises as the main blood donation clinic. But space limitations and financial restructuring made it necessary to separate the clinic and the processing plant in 2003.

While Doors Open Ottawa takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 6 and 7, the Canadian Blood Services processing plant will only participate on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours can be pre-booked at 613-560-1412 or by emailing ottawavolunteers@blood.ca. This is a free event and a rare chance to learn about work that affects us all.

Visitors to the plant will be able to participate in “What’s Your Type?”, a quick and easy way to test your blood type. There will also be a chance to learn about blood and stem-cell donation and research being done through the organization’s OneMatch program, which connects with registries around the world to help match donors with patients in need.

Doors Open Ottawa is a free event, held annually during the first full weekend of June. It is celebrating its 14th year and will showcase more than 120 buildings in 2015. For building and participation times, visit ottawa.ca/doorsopen or pick up a copy of the 2015 Doors Open Ottawa building guide. The guide is available at Bridgehead coffee locations, at any Doors Open Ottawa building location or, if you’re a subscriber, through the Ottawa Citizen on May 29.

A free Doors Open Ottawa shuttle bus service will also operate throughout the downtown core, connecting to more than 50 participating sites, so don’t miss your chance to experience Ottawa’s built heritage during this free and unique annual event.