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To help address the demand and need for burnt plasma, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center announced in a news conference Monday that it will give donors a $ 50 gift card in advance.
To help address the demand and need for burnt plasma, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center announced in a news conference Monday that it will give donors a $ 50 gift card in advance.
Photo: Bob Owen / San Antonio Express News
To help address the demand and need for burnt plasma, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center announced in a news conference Monday that it will give donors a $ 50 gift card in advance.
To help address the demand and need for burnt plasma, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center announced in a news conference Monday that it will give donors a $ 50 gift card in advance.
Photo: Bob Owen / San Antonio Express News
To help address the demand and need for burnt plasma, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center announced in a news conference Monday that it will give donors a $ 50 gift card in advance.
The $ 100,000 gift cards are funded by Carabin & Shaw PC and the Wyatt Law Firm, who both donated $ 50,000.
The blood center collects the plasmagations of people who have recovered from COVID-19 as part of a treatment for critically ill patients. The plasma contains antibodies that can help a COVID-19 patient’s immune system fight the virus, according to the blood center.
A recent study led by the Mayo Clinic shows that convalescent plasma can cut mortality rates in half if administered at the right time, said Elizabeth Waltman, chief executive of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.
Also read: Coronavirus updates: SA area campus student tests positive for COVID-19
“It shows we need more people to make these life-saving donations,” she said. “The need is real and it is strong. From what we see, plasma recovery makes the difference between life and death for individuals.”
As of Sunday night, the blood center said they have planned about 40 donors a day with a show rate of 75 percent. The center needs 75 donors every day to meet the needs of the area, according to the center.
In Bexar County, more than 33,000 people have recovered from COVID-19, but only 830 people have convalescent plasma legs.
“Our doctors in San Antonio want to use effervescent plasma for anyone who is admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, but we need more donations,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg told the news conference.
The blood center has sent out 5,457 units of convalescent plasma as of Sunday night, the release said. In August, it shipped out 820 units.
The blood center encourages anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 to see if they are eligible to donate. Potential plasma donors can email [email protected] to find out if they are eligible or visit southtexasblood.org/covid19 for additional information.
Priscilla Aguirre is a General Assignment Reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @CillaAguirre
