Local Blood Center Accepts First Plasma Donation From Recovered COVID-19 Patient

The Blood Connection Urges Coronavirus Patients to Donate Now

GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Blood Connection (TBC), has received its first convalescent plasma donation in South Carolina. This donated blood product will be used to help patients in the Carolinas who are battling COVID-19. One plasma donation can help up to four people.

The blood product, known as convalescent plasma, may have antibodies that can help those critically ill from COVID-19 to fight the virus. TBC first announced that it would be collecting convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients on April 6, 2020 after the FDA approved the donations to be used for research and clinical trials.

“One of the things this virus did was it outran our immune system,” says Dr. Robert Rainer, Medical Director for The Blood Connection. “What we’re able to do with this plasma is get a head start, put some of these antibodies into somebody and basically blunt the damage that the virus causes. This means recovered COVID-19 patients have the power to save someone’s life with one simple donation.”

TBC is offering this procedure at all of its blood donation centers across South Carolina and North Carolina and is urging those who are interested to make an appointment 28 days after they are fully recovered from the virus. Donors must have dated, written documentation of their positive test results and must make an appointment with the organization before donating.

Those interested in donating convalescent plasma must make an appointment at a center by calling The Blood Connection at (864)751-1168.

About The Blood Connection

Founded in Greenville, SC, The Blood Connection has been committed to saving lives since 1962. TBC is an independently managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood products to more than 70 hospitals within Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its dedication to disaster preparedness and the community, TBC works diligently to collect blood from volunteer donors to meet the ever-increasing demand. By keeping collections local, TBC serves hundreds of thousands of patients a year in its communities. TBC is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit thebloodconnection.org.

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