Crimson Cross requires blood plasma for COVID sufferers

By On Jan 11, 2021

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay reporter

WEDNESDAY, Jan 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) – The American Red Cross urges COVID-19 survivors to donate blood plasma to hospital patients who need it for recovery.

As an incentive to compound the national convalescent plasma shortage, the Red Cross has teamed up with the National Football League and is offering donors the opportunity to win two tickets to next year’s Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.

The Red Cross specifically urges those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate blood as more donors are needed to help hospitalized patients.

Those who donate between January 1st and 20th will be automatically enrolled to receive the “Big Game at Home” package for viewing at home with a 65-inch television and a $ 500 gift card win.

People can make an appointment to donate blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross blood donor app, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or enabling the blood scheduling ability for Amazon Alexa.

“While winter has historically been a challenging time to collect blood due to the holidays and bad weather, COVID-19 has added a new challenge this year,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross, in a news release.

“In the past month, the Red Cross distributed the most convalescent plasma products during the pandemic than any other month. With hospital distributions for this product up about 250% since October, it is important that those who become aware of COVID- 19 have recovered, donate blood or plasma so we can continue treating those who are critically ill with the virus, “Young added.

COVID-19 survivors have the unique ability to improve the lives of COVID-19 patients, according to the Red Cross. People who have recovered from COVID-19 may have antibodies in their plasma that could give a patient’s immune system the boost it needs to beat the virus.

More information

For more information on donating blood, please contact the American Red Cross.

SOURCE: American Red Cross, press release, Jan. 5, 2021

HealthDay WebMD News