(Posted Sept. 2, 2020)
If you are fully recovered from COVID-19, you can help to save lives by donating plasma.
After a person has recovered from an illness, they have what is called convalescent plasma. Convalescent refers to anyone recovering from a disease. Plasma is the yellow, liquid part of blood that contains antibodies. Antibodies are proteins made by the body in response to infections.
Convalescent plasma from patients who have already recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may contain antibodies against COVID-19. Giving this convalescent plasma to hospitalized people who are fighting COVID-19 may help them to recover.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to be used in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and is being investigated for the treatment of COVID-19 because there is no approved treatment for this disease. Based on scientific evidence, the FDA concluded this may be effective in treating COVID-19 and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
In central Ohio, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Community Blood Center in Dayton have COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation programs. You may be eligible to donate if you meet the following criteria:
- You had a COVID-19 diagnosis documented by a lab test. This includes both molecular (nasal swab) tests and antibody tests.
- You have been symptom-free for at least 14 days. Depending on your specific situation, you may need to be symptom-free for up to 28 days.
- You are willing to donate plasma.
For more information, visit givingblood.org or wexnermedical.osu.edu.
If you have been fortunate to avoid getting sick with COVID-19, you can still help by donating blood. One blood donation can save up to three lives.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges to the U.S. blood supply. Donor centers have experienced a dramatic reduction in donations due to the implementation of social distancing and the cancellation of blood drives. Blood is needed every day to provide lifesaving treatments to a variety of patients. You can help to ensure that blood continues to be available for patients by finding a blood donor center near you to schedule your donation. Visit americasblood.org to find a place near you to donate.
