COVID survivors encouraged to give during upcoming plasma drives

Shepeard Community Blood Center continues to be in need of COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) from donors who have fully recovered from a COVID-19 infection. If you have recovered from COVID-19, you may have antibodies in your plasma that can be used to treat extremely ill patients.

In effort to collect additional CCP, Shepeard will host two drives in Swainsboro during the month of February. The first drive will be held at Emanuel Medical Center (117 Kite Rd., Swainsboro) on February 20. On February 21, another drive will be held at CPR Fitness and Tan and The Spa at CPR (203 S Circle Drive, Swainsboro). The drives will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

To be eligible to donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. You must show proof of a positive Covid-19 test or positive antibody test result.

2. You must be symptom free for at least 14 days.

3. You must be able to pass a regular blood donor questionnaire and physical.

For additional details regarding donating or pre-screening or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 706-737-4551 or email ccpdonor@shepeardblood.org.

All successful donors will receive a $100 Visa gift card as a “thank you” for donating.

Shepeard Community Blood Center supplies blood and blood products, to include COVID convalescent plasma, to 24 hospitals in 30 counties in Georgia and South Carolina. Due to the high demand, Shepeard is shipping CCP to other states as needed to help in the fight against COVID-19.