A spike in the nation’s COVID-19 cases has led to an emergency plasma shortage and the American Red Cross is asking patients who have survived the virus to donate their convalescent plasma. Ronnika McFall is a spokesperson with the organization.
“Convalescent plasma is the liquid part of the blood that is collected from patients who have recovered from COVID-19,” says McFall.
MCFall says the Red Cross is distributing the product faster than donations of plasma are coming in. The demand has more than doubled over the past month:
“The Red Cross is collecting convalescent plasma at over 170 locations including our Georgia donor centers here and throughout the entire country to help meet emergency patient needs as we work and battle this pandemic.”
The Red Cross has distributed more than 20-thousand convalescent plasma products nationwide.
“And the Red Cross is screening blood for antibodies so if you are healthy and well and able to donate blood, you will actually receive notice if you have antibodies within seven to ten days from your donation,” McFall adds.
Survivors can donate by visiting www.redcrossblood.org.
McFall states, “This is very important that we have patients who have recovered and are feeling well to sign up and donate their plasma.”
There is still an urgent need for regular blood donations as well.