Last week, the American Red Cross announced it’s facing an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma, a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recently recovered from coronavirus that contains antibodies that may help patients actively fighting the virus. Right now, the Red Cross is distributing convalescent plasma products faster than donations are coming in.

Over the past month, the Red Cross has seen hospital demand for convalescent plasma more than double as coronavirus cases have sharply increased in many U.S. states.

That is why the Red Cross is looking for people that have fully recovered and received a verified COVID-19 diagnosis to sign up and give convalescent plasma. People like 20-year-old, Tramone Hester.

Hester is a college student in the Myrtle Beach, SC area and recently recovered from the coronavirus.

“I believe I got it from not having a mask on at a restaurant,” said Hester. ‘I had about a 102-degree fever for about four and half days. That fever would fluctuate during the day and night, which made it really uncomfortable.’

After he received a positive COVID19 test and recovered, he wanted a way to help others who are dealing with cases of COVID-19. When he heard the Red Cross was collecting convalescent plasma, he went online to RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid to see if he was eligible to give.

“I went online and filled out the application. It was a simple, really quick process and didn’t take long. I actually heard from someone with the Red Cross the next day,” said Hester.

On Saturday, July 25, he visited the donation site in Myrtle Beach and donated his Plasma.

“It was so easy. I thought it would take long, but it only took me one hour,” Hester said. “I can definitely say I felt safe. The rules and regulations were in place. Everyone wore masks, there were places you couldn’t go, we were kept 6 feet apart.’

Tramone says he wants to encourage other young people that may have recovered from the virus to consider checking into the eligibility to donate convalescent plasma.

“There are a lot of other things that have our attention right now, but that hour can change someone’s life. You never know if someone in your family will need it, or if you will need it,’ said Hester. “It made me really think about the people that are dealing with this virus. I wanted to help someone else and I feel really good about it. It means a lot.”

One plasma donation can help up to three COVID-19 patients

The only source of convalescent plasma is COVID-19 survivors, giving them a unique ability to help. In fact, each convalescent plasma donation can potentially help treat up to three patients. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid to learn more about eligibility requirements. 

“Every donation of convalescent plasma supports the treatment of severely ill patients battling COVID-19,” said Dr. Mitchell Devlin, who leads a cross-departmental team overseeing the convalescent plasma program at Tidelands Health. “With a large number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized, convalescent plasma is in high demand and short supply. We encourage anyone who has had COVID-19 and recovered to donate – and potentially save a life.”

Didn’t have COVID-19 but still want to help?

The need for blood is constant. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic thousands of Red Cross blood drives have been canceled as community organizations and businesses restrict access to many locations. The Red Cross needs the help of blood donors and blood drive hosts to ensure a stable blood supply throughout this crisis. This summer, help restock the shelves by giving whole blood or platelets to help patients battling disease and facing the unexpected.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions—including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff—have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.

Donation appointments can be made for the coming days and weeks by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.  

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.