Before COVID vaccine, convalescent plasma was used to treat patients. How is it being used today?
KABC
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) Long before vaccines, the focus was on a handful of COVID-19 treatments that provided glimmers of hope. The first to emerge was convalescent plasma. It offered a way for survivors to help those still suffering.
Golden plasma, teeming with precious antibodies, was tilled from the donated blood of coronavirus survivors - like now-retired LAPD Cmdr. Cory Palka.
The 34-year police veteran donated at American Red Cross centers three times before his antibodies waned. Through donating blood, plasma and my organs.I think there s no greater testament to my faith and to my life of caring for others, he said.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) There is an urgent new call for people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma.
The Blood Connection, a nonprofit community blood center in Raleigh, reports demand for convalescent plasma has tripled as the number of cases rises.
Convalescent plasma can drastically help many COVID-19 patients battling the virus.
Donors must be symptom-free for at least 14 days and have proof of a positive COVID-19 test or positive COVID-19 antibody test in order to donate. COVID is like a sprinter. It runs a 100-yard dash really, really fast, said TBC Medical Director, Robert Rainer in a statement. Blood plasma gives the patient a 50-yard head start, so it lets their immune system catch up and get ahead of the infection.