Miami University Convalescent Plasma Drive could mean 50 transfusions for COVID-19 patients

25 donated at the Convalescent Plasma Donor Drive held at Miami University Wednesday, October 28

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (October 30, 2020) – Hoxworth Blood Center reported 25 people donated convalescent plasma at the Miami University donor drive held Wednesday, October 28, on the University campus.

Hoxworth Blood Center collected 25 units of the convalescent plasma from the 25 donors. Each unit can be split into two (2) doses of plasma for transfusion into a COVID-19 patient in area hospitals. That means as many as 50 patients could receive a single convalescent plasma transfusion to aid in their recovery from COVID-19.

“This is really exciting stuff,” said Cara Nicolas, Associate Director, Public Relations for Hoxworth Blood Centers, University of Cincinnati. “Orders for convalescent plasma from local hospitals have been rising.”

Nicolas also told us another Miami convalescent plasma drive is coming up on November 9. If interested in signing up for that, you’ll need to fill out this form: https://hoxworth.org/miamiu.html. Our staff will then contact them to get scheduled (walk-ins for convalescent plasma are not permitted).

NOTE: To be a convalescent plasma donor, you must have tested positive for COVID-19, recovered, and had negative tests without any further positive test result for a minimum of 28 days.

Hoxworth Offering E-Gift Cards for Donors

To Boost Blood Supply

CINCINNATI (October 30, 2020) – In an effort to boost the local blood supply ahead of the busy holiday season, Hoxworth Blood Center is offering all donors a $10 e-gift card between Nov. 2-8. 

Individuals who donate blood, platelets, or plasma at a Hoxworth Neighborhood Donor Center or select blood drives between Monday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 8 will receive a $10 e-gift card.

“The need for blood continues to increase at local hospitals as surgeries that were postponed during the beginning of the pandemic are rescheduled, and beyond that, we never know what sort of traumas or emergency situations will require massive amounts of blood products,” said Alecia Lipton, Director of Public Relations at Hoxworth Blood Center. “We’re asking eligible donors to plan their next donation as soon as possible.”

Donors will receive an email with their e-gift card link within 48 hours of their donation, and can select from a number of restaurants, retail stores, and services.

Blood banks across the United States are gearing up for a difficult several weeks, said Lipton. Flu season and busy holiday schedules historically negatively impact donor turnout, and recent spikes in COVID-19 cases are also expected to cause complications for potential donors.

Hoxworth continues to follow social distancing guidelines at donor centers and blood drives.  Masks are required per local guidelines. To schedule a donation, call (513) 451-0910 or visit www.hoxworth.org. Appointments are requested at this time in order to maintain social distancing protocol.

More at: https://hoxworth.org/