Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is participating in a study based out of Mayo Clinic to determine if antibodies in the blood plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients can be used to treat those currently fighting the virus.
The hospital system announced Wednesday that it is now looking for local donors to participate in the study, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Donors must have had documented cases of COVID-19 and recovered from the virus. The hope, according to NGHS, is that plasma from recovered patients will help those with current severe cases of COVID-19 recover, as well.
"We know from experience with other viral infections that convalescent plasma can be an effective treatment,” said Dr. Joseph Conway, Medical Director of Laboratory Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. “Being part of this study will help determine if that is true for COVID-19. This is an opportunity to potentially make a difference in the lives of multiple people. If the convalescent plasma is effective, this could help prevent or lessen the need for patients to be put on ventilators. This is important information we need to learn.”
To learn more and take the next step in the study, volunteers can visit www.redcrossblood.org, contact LifeSouth at [email protected] or call 888-795-2707.
