New blood donor centre set to open in South Surrey
Published 12:45 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Blood and plasma donors in South Surrey and White Rock now have a centre much closer to home where they can give.
Canadian Blood Services is opening a brand-new donor centre in South Surrey’s Grandview Corners, where Eddie Bauer used to operate, on Aug. 4, and held an open house Wednesday, July 29 to showcase the new site, which is the second location in Surrey.
Designed to provide a modern, comfortable, and convenient donation experience, the new centre will offer both whole blood and plasma donation.
It features eight donation beds — three dedicated to whole blood and five for plasma — which will help increase access to lifesaving donations for residents in the growing South Surrey community, a Canadian Blood Services release noted.
So far, there’s been plenty of public interest in the new location, Canadian Blood Services community development manager Craig Nielsen said July 29, ahead of an afternoon open house.
“We’re actually fully booked for the first week, which is incredible,” he shared. “We’ve actually seen a national decline in Canada’s blood supply by about 20 per cent since June 1. So, the timing is impeccable … we’re opening more opportunities for Canadians and people here.”
The new location is a permanent site, Nielsen said, noting Canadian Blood Services operates both permanent and mobile sites; other permanent sites include North Surrey, downtown Vancouver and an Oak Street location, also in Vancouver.
When people donate what is called “whole blood,” they’re donating three main components: red blood cells, plasma and platelets, Nielsen explained.
“Each of those do get separated out into their separate components to help patients in need, but recently we’ve been trying to increase our plasma donations in the country because there is a larger need now for plasma,” he said. “(That) plasma is actually turned into medications called immunoglobulins. (Giving plasma) is a bit longer of a process, but very similar to blood donation.”
Having repeat/consistent donors is also key, Nielsen noted, as every blood and plasma donation has the power to save or improve lives.
Donors play a vital role in supporting patients undergoing cancer treatments, major surgeries, trauma care, and those living with rare blood disorders or immune deficiencies who rely on plasma-derived medicines, he shared, but also noted, giving blood can help the donor, too.
“It’s what you experience — what you get when you give … you know you’re helping patients in need, but it’s also the feeling you get as a donor and the feeling that you’ve given back to the community. It’s actually a really rewarding experience for a donor — and whether that’s through whole blood donation, plasma donation, stem cell registry, whatever it may be — it’s a good feeling.”
Nielsen also shared how grateful he was for the support of the local community.
“Thank you to all of our donors in South Surrey and White Rock,” he said. “We’ve seen an incredible response since we’ve gone public with this new donor centre opening.”