Veterans and others who have recovered from COVID-19 can help contribute to potential treatments by donating plasma.

Veterans and others who have recovered from COVID-19 can help contribute to potential treatments by donating plasma.

This message is being sent by the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System on behalf of THE FIGHT IS IN US.

THE FIGHT IS IN US is a national coalition working to fight COVID-19. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you can join the fight and be a hero by donating blood plasma. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood; it is mostly made of water. Plasma may also contain antibodies that could help others fight COVID.

The Power of Plasma

Plasma is so useful because it can be safely donated by people who recently recovered, and it could help treat people who are ill. Plasma donation has been used for many years to treat people during outbreaks. After donation, plasma is naturally replaced by the donor’s body.

How can you help?

If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, please consider donating your plasma. If you know someone who has recently recovered from COVID-19, please share this information and encourage them to donate plasma.

Eligibility

You are eligible to donate plasma if you have had a positive COVID-19 test, or an antibody test, or a clinical diagnosis and meet other donor criteria. You must also be symptom-free for at least 14 days before visiting a donor center.

Registration

You will be asked to show identification and share your contact information when you arrive at the donor center. Some centers may have additional registration requirements. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

Screening

To donate, you will need to pass a pre-donation screening, including a brief exam to check your temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. The screening will help make sure that the donation is safe for you and the people who receive your donation.

Donation Process

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will move to a donation area, where you will rest on a donor bed while connected to a machine that will collect your plasma. You will be carefully monitored by staff throughout the donation process. Your donor bed will be a safe distance from other donors and any necessary protective equipment will be provided to you.

Plasma Collection

Plasma is collected through an automated process that first separates plasma from other blood components, and then returns your blood cells and platelets to you. This process continues until enough plasma is collected.

For questions about plasma donation, visit www.THEFIGHTISINUS.org or call

1-877-752-7629.