Red Cross appeals for more convalescent plasma donors

MANILA, Philippines — With the increasing cases of COVID-19, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is appealing for more donors of convalescent plasma as their stocks are now dwindling.

According to PRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon, those who have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to donate their “much-needed plasma” at the PRC’s convalescent plasma center to help those who are still infected.

“COVID-19 cases are rising to unprecedented heights recently, that we lost in five days what we have gained in five months. We need to have sufficient supply of convalescent plasma to help those who are confined in hospitals due to the disease,” he said.

Convalescent plasma therapy may be given to people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 to help them recover because it could lessen the severity or shorten the length of the disease.

Data show the PRC has served 686 patients from 88 hospitals from July 13, 2020 to March 25, 2021, dispensing 784 units of plasma.

However, according to current inventory, the PRC convalescent plasma center only has eight units of plasma.

“With a number of hospitals, especially those that are dedicated for COVID-19, now at full capacity due to the exponential rise in cases, we can help prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by donating plasma since COVID patients will recover in a shorter time. COVID survivors can become heroes,” Gordon added.