Emergency Shortage Of Plasma With COVID-19 Antibodies: Red Cross

GERMANTOWN, MD — The American Red Cross says it is experiencing an emergency shortage of plasma from donors with COVID-19 antibodies — a potentially lifesaving treatment for patients currently battling the virus.

Thousands of COVID-19 survivors have donated more than 20,000 so-called convalescent plasma products across the country, but demand has doubled over the past month as cases of the coronavirus spiked, the Red Cross said in a news release.

Anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 is urged to fill out a Red Cross donor eligibility form. Those who are still ill should remain home.

All donors who give blood from Aug. 1 to Sept. 3 will be given $5 Amazon gift cards and Aug. 31 donors will be entered into a drawing for a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott's Berry Farm through 2021.

A number of blood drives are being held across Montgomery County.

A few dates and locations are listed below:

Friday, July 31

• Bioscience Education Center
  • Address: 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 12

• Rockville Blood Donation Center
  • Location: 11820 Parklawn Drive, Rockville
  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

• Seneca Creek Community Church
  • Location: 13 First Field Rd., Gaithersburg
  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Click here to find a Red Cross blood drive near you.