Convalescent Plasma Drive Scheduled In Smithtown

Press release from Catholic Health Services:

Oct. 21, 2020

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year approved convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19 under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

According to the FDA, the blood from those who recover from COVID-19 contains antibodies that are capable of fighting the COVID-19 virus. In other diseases caused by respiratory viruses, giving the liquid portion of the blood—plasma—that contains antibodies obtained from those who have recovered from the virus may lead to more rapid improvement for those who are fighting the disease.

Catholic Health Services’s St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center is partnering with New York Blood Center to host a Convalescent Plasma Drive on Friday, October 23.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Smithtown hospital. Donations are by appointment only.

Those interested in donating must meet the following criteria.

• Have a lab-confirmed positive test for COVID-19 (documentation required). A positive test can be a nasopharyngeal swab or blood antibody test for the virus.
• Symptom-free for 14 days.
• Meet height, weight and age requirements to donate blood.

All information provided will be kept confidential and be used only to qualify individuals as a donor. Results of a COVID-19 test or antibody results must be uploaded to the New York Blood Center website before donating.

Once test results are uploaded, donors should call St. Catherine of Siena at (631) 469-0989 to schedule an appointment. As a reminder, individuals should eat and drink before their donation time and bring with them identification that includes name and photo.

This press release was produced by Catholic Health Services. The views expressed here are the author's own.