LIFELINE Blood Services Working To Help Treat COVID-19 Patients

JACKSON (July 30) — In conjunction with President Donald Trump’s recent request for people to donate convalescent plasma to help treat COVID-19 patients, LIFELINE Blood Services announced it is working to help meet this need. Since April 30, LIFELINE reported it has collected plasma from COVID-19 survivors at its Jackson headquarters.

Officials with LIFELINE Blood Services are asking more Tennesseans to respond to the call, especially in the West Tennessee community. Those who had COVID-19, have been symptom-free for 14 days and meet other blood-donor eligibility requirements, can be a part of this special treatment to save the lives of critically-ill patients.

“LIFELINE Blood Services is seeking donors who are fully recovered from a COVID-19 illness. Individuals who have fully recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus,” said Cherie Parker, Public Relations and Giving Coordinator for LIFELINE Blood Services.

“This convalescent plasma is used to treat patients seriously ill with COVID-19 and prospective donors may be able to donate plasma to help patients currently with or at-risk of developing serious or life-threatening COVID-19 infections,” Parker added.

Requirements for individuals donating convalescent plasma include:

* Must have an official diagnosis of COVID-19;

* Must be recovered and symptom-free for 14 days and

* Must be able to pass all standard requirements to give blood.

For more information about donating COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma, visit www.lifelinebloodserv.org.