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Red Cross could use your help with life-saving blood

Agency reports emergency shortage of convalescent plasma

As COVID-19 cases surge across the country, the American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma.

Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. It contains antibodies that may help patients actively fight the virus.

Since April, thousands of COVID-19 survivors have given convalescent plasma, enabling the Red Cross to collect and distribute more than 3,500 of these lifesaving products in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and 20,000 nationwide.

The Red Cross is looking for people who have fully recovered and received a verified COVID-19 diagnosis to sign up to give convalescent plasma.

With each donation, COVID-19 survivors may help up to three patients recover from the virus. A donor eligibility form may be found online at RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid.

Likewise, the agency is looking for blood donors to help people who face other life-threatening conditions as well as the unexpected. The agency notes that blood donations from healthy individuals are just as essential to meet patient needs.

If you are healthy and able, we suggest you contact the agency at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment to donate.

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