The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) is ready to collect plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients, joining other blood centers nationwide in an effort to help care for individuals affected by the virus.

Convalescent plasma is collected from recovered patients and administered to people currently diagnosed with COVID-19. Donors must have proof of a positive nasal swab test for COVID-19 and be 28 days out from their last symptoms. They also must meet the requirements to donate blood.

While there is no proven treatment for COVID-19, it is possible that convalescent plasma collected from recovered COVID-19 patients contains antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and might provide passive immunity for some COVID-19 patients.

RRVBC is actively seeking recovered COVID-19 patients who had a positive nasal swab test and would be willing to be a donor. Those interested should call 815-965-8751 or visit rrvbc.org.

 

About Rock River Valley Blood Center:  The Rock River Valley Blood Center is your community blood center and is the only provider of blood products and services to Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton, Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, SwedishAmerican Hospital, SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, SwedishAmerican Medical Center-Belvidere, Beloit Health System, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, FHN-Freeport and Rochelle Community Hospital. The center has four convenient donor centers in Rockford, Belvidere and Freeport and the ability to support up to three mobile drives a day. The Rock River Valley Blood Center ensures that the right blood type is available at the right time for local patients whose lives may depend on it. Patients and their families rely on individuals to provide life-giving red blood cells, plasma, and platelets through blood donation.

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