Figured I would bring this to covid board...

Any info on how someone like me can donate antibodies to help? So far it's been very hard even though my blood donation showed positive antibodies.

1) got sick with COVID, symptoms June 13-18
2) PCR test on 6/14 came back neg (false neg)
3) blood donation on 6/30 came back pos for antibodies (just got results July 21)

Called 2 gulf coast locations and told them I donated blood, tested pos antibodies, and wanted to donate plasma. First lady said they will call me if they want my plasma. Second guy said I needed a positive PCR test to be eligible.

So I'm curious if timing matters? Are antibodies only good for certain amount of time after active virus is in body? Am I really ineligible?

Hell, with the money this virus is costing us, you would think they would write me a check and send over a limo! I figured with Sam L Jackson and the Rock sending out a PSA commercial I could do my part, easily.....guess not

Looks like antibodies in your blood isn't enough for Gulf Coast.....they need a positive virus test to take antibody plasma.

I'm reaching out through some peers to inquire about this.

I'll answer your questions and more here soon

thirdcoast said:

---

Looks like antibodies in your blood isn't enough for Gulf Coast.....they need a positive virus test to take antibody plasma.

---

Ok. Got some more info.

Short story: GC is working through the logistics of converting antibody positive donors into convalescent plasma donors. Unfortunately, everything about this program is new and it takes time to work through the changes and updates in IT support, labeling of product, and regulation hurdles b4 full implementation.

So it may take a little while but there should be s point where they run their data base of pos donors and then start calling to book plasma donations.

They started doing anti body testing sooner than most other blood centers, and are working through the changes as they come up.

Our center, went ahead and delayed starting the testing so we could unroll several of the programs all st once. Which is why we can enroll from our positive tests already and have the IT, logistics and labeling/regulations already squared away.

Hope this helps.

Awesome thanks for chasing down that info SoulS!
Super helpful for me and I hope others also.

I'll check back in later once GC gets it together or another convenient option arises.

Hey SoulSlave you are the best - Glad you are on the job of helping plasma donors
Doubly glad your bout with covid was not serious
Thank you
I hope you have more plasma than you know what do with soon

Thanks for the positive feedback. I'm very lucky and blessed to have been in a position to contribute positively during all of this.

I hope we are drowning in donors, the good news is that we can freeze each dose for up to a year. If we can get ahead of the curve, we can build an inventory and be prepared if/when there are future hot spots.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2020/07/22/we-are-desperate-north-texas-hospitals-seek-donors-of-plasma-that-can-help-the-most-critical-covid-patients/

Had an acquaintance at work hospitalized for Covid and he also had kidney stones. (Ouch, with only Tylenol for pain)
He was overweight,diabetic and asthmatic 60 something. After a few days they gave him plasma and was shortly able to go home. Have not heard anything bad in several days.
Supposedly they don't give it sooner because it might make it worse for some patients??? They may just be short of it and rationing it????

So if you have the antibodies, plasma donation can really help.

oldcrow91 said:

---

Had an acquaintance at work hospitalized for Covid and he also had kidney stones. (Ouch, with only Tylenol for pain)
He was overweight,diabetic and asthmatic 60 something. After a few days they gave him plasma and was shortly able to go home. Have not heard anything bad in several days.
Supposedly they don't give it sooner because it might make it worse for some patients??? They may just be short of it and rationing it????

So if you have the antibodies, plasma donation can really help.

---

That sounds like the 2nd level of hell