A little friendly competition can lead to big impacts, especially when it’s about saving lives through collaboration.

The UFV Alumni Association, UFV community members, and Canadian Blood Services came together to host the 2024 Plasma Cup Playoffs, a collaborative effort to address the urgent need for plasma donations. Four teams participated, including the UFV Alumni Association (UFVAA), UFV Administration, the UFV Faculty and Staff Association, and the student-led Next Gen Club.

Team members were encouraged to donate plasma as often as possible. Each donation from November 4 to December 14 counted towards team points.  While prizes like two Meta Quest VR sets generously donated by alumni Derek Froese (BCIS ’11) and Wim Kerkhoff (BCIS ’06) and a pizza lunch for the winning team were incentives, the true reward was fostering community connections and contributing to a life-saving cause.

“On behalf of Canadian Blood Services, the Abbotsford plasma donor centre team and our patients and their loved ones, we want to extend our immense gratitude to Nik Venema and Derek Froese for making the University of the Fraser Valley Plasma Playoffs a reality,” says Abbotsford Plasma Centre manager Johanna Aguirre. “We also thank every single champion and the UFV teams who fearlessly agreed to support this initiative to transform lives and build community.”

This initiative was led by alum Nik Venema (BBA ’12) and Derek Froese, both of whom are also Chair Emeriti of the UFV Alumni Association, with the support of the UFV community, including students, staff, and administrators.  The two paired up to organize the Plasma Playoffs and involve the entire UFV community.

“Derek and I wanted to encourage the community to give back. Plasma donations are still desperately needed. So, we organized a plasma playoff to encourage donations. It’s all just a fun competition,” says Nik.

“In the end, we all win.

Nik made headlines earlier this year for reaching over 100 plasma donations. He is a staunch supporter of this life-giving cause.

Over the course of six weeks, the playoffs recorded 214 donations, demonstrating the tangible impact of community collaboration in addressing critical health needs. Many of the donations came from first-time donors, including UFVAA Board Chair Tony Dhaliwal (BA ’12).

“I’m super excited to give back, and grateful to Nik and Derek for setting this up,” says Tony. “It’s a great cause.”

The plasma collected in the Abbotsford donor centre alone is manufactured into 50 different medications that are distributed to 730 hospitals and clinics across Canada.

The UFV Alumni Association was proud to be the winner of the Plasma Cup this year.

While the Plasma Playoffs have concluded, the spirit of giving continues. Canadian Blood Services encourages the UFV community to build on this collective success by donating throughout the new year and inviting others to join this vital cause

“We would also like to invite the UFV dedicated donors who continue to fuel Canada’s Lifeline to double their impact by inviting a new donor to join them at their next donation and become one of the 450 new donors needed every day this winter,” says Johanna.

The plasma playoffs may be over, but donations are still needed. You can continue to support the UFV alumni team and support a great cause. Sign up using this link: Join the Team