Convalescent Plasma Donors Needed

MIDLAND, Mich. – MidMichigan Health is asking individuals who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and have recovered to consider donating their plasma, also known as convalescent plasma.

“If you have recovered from COVID-19, you may be able to help patients currently fighting the infection by donating your plasma,” said Lydia Watson, M.D., chief medical officer, MidMichigan Health. “As a result of your infection, your plasma now contains COVID-19 antibodies, which is one way your immune system fought the virus when you were sick. Your plasma is now known as convalescent plasma and this plasma has proven helpful to those infected with COVID-19. The donation could possibly save a life.”

Donors who have recovered from COVID-19 are asked to donate convalescent plasma through the local blood bank if they have had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 by physician and laboratory testing, are symptom free for 28 days before being eligible to donate, and are symptom free for 14-27 days, a negative test must be verified.

“Your healthcare provider will be able to confirm your lab test and symptom free time as needed by donation centers,” added Dr. Watson.

Those interested in more information or wishing to become a donor may visit www.versiti.org/home/convalescent-plasma-donations. Those with questions may contact Michigan Versiti  Blood Center of Michigan at (866) 642-5663. 

MidMichigan Health is a non-profit health system, headquartered in Midland, Michigan, affiliated with Michigan Medicine, the health care division of the University of Michigan. MidMichigan Health covers a 23-county region with medical centers in Midland, Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Mt. Pleasant and West Branch. In addition to its Medical Centers, MidMichigan Health also offers both home health care and physician services, and has a strong commitment to medical education. MidMichigan Physicians Group provides urgent care and medical offices in more than 30 specialties and subspecialties including cardiology, hematology/oncology, orthopedics, vascular surgery, family medicine and more. The MidMichigan Health Foundation supports patients and families served by MidMichigan Health by raising funds for equipment, services and programs. Currently, MidMichigan has more than 8,700 employees, volunteers and physicians and other personnel, and provided more than $90 million in community benefits in fiscal year 2019.Health is a non-profit health system, headquartered in Midland, Michigan, affiliated with Michigan