Midland Memorial Hospital in Texas is looking for people who have recovered from COVID-19 and are willing to donate blood plasma to save others.
William Klingensmith, pathologist and medical laboratory director at MMH, said the convalescent plasma will be given to patients who may potentially die from the virus, according to News West 9.
“It’s the fluid part of your blood and it contains the antibodies, the virus-fighting particles," Klingensmith told News West 9.
COVID-19 survivors must be in recovery for at least 14 days and must test negative for the virus before they can donate their plasma, Klingensmith said. This new treatment has already been given to at least one patient in the hospital with extreme COVID-19 symptoms, according to News West 9.
The following day, the patient showed signs of improvement and is expected to be released from the hospital once she makes a full recovery, according to News West 9.
“COVID-19 is a new virus and there isn't a lot of known treatments for COVID-19," Klingensmith said. “Convalescent plasma was first used at least in the 1800s, many years before antibiotics and way before antivirals.”
MMH has received convalescent plasma donations from as far away as Dallas and more donations are also coming from the Basin area. Plasma donations are needed right now and Klingensmith said every drop counts. A donation of four units of plasma can save up to four people.
If you are a COVID-19 survivor and are willing to donate plasma to save the lives of others, call 432-221-1111 and ask for the blood bank supervisor, according to News West 9.