COVID-19 survivors help others by donating blood

Mayo Clinic and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers have teamed up with Baptist Health to conduct a trial using plasma donations from recovered Coronavirus patients to aid in the treatment of current COVID-19 patients. The plasma from recovered patients contains antibodies, or proteins in the blood, that can attack the virus and lessen its severity.

The trial is free for donors, and the donated plasma will initially be reserved for severe COVID-19 cases at Baptist Health, especially for patients in intensive care.

Recovered COVID-19 patients are eligible to donate if they meet the criteria below, as well as the standard criteria for voluntary blood donation:

  • A laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19
  • Complete resolution of symptoms without fever- or symptom-reducing medication for at least 14 days prior to donation.
  • If it has been fewer than 28 days since the resolution of their symptoms, donors must have a documented negative result by one or more nasal swab specimens or a molecular diagnostic blood test. If neither of these tests was performed, a positive antibody test confirming the patient has COVID-19 antibodies is acceptable.

Eligible donors should contact LifeSouth at [email protected] or (352) 224-1770 to set up an appointment and find the LifeSouth location closest to them. They should specify that they are donating to Baptist Health. Each blood donation can benefit two to three patients.

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