by Kevin Zimmermann
(WHBL) – A potentially life-saving treatment for COVID-19 patients is partly behind an emergency shortage of plasma and blood supplies according to the American Red Cross, and donors are being asked to step up and donate as soon as possible.
The nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases has seen the demand for convalescent plasma more than double over the last month. Plasma donated by one who’s fully recovered from the disease provides enough critical antibodies to help up to three persons recover, and is being distributed faster than donations are coming in. The Red Cross is urging anyone who’s fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis to complete a donor eligibility form as soon as possible at RedCrossBlood.org.
Meanwhile, blood in general is in short supply, and a $5 Amazon.com gift card is being offered to all who come to donate. You can make an appointment to donate online, or attend a local blood drive. The next local drive is at Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall from 10 till 3 this Friday.
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