Miller-Keystone Blood Center and the American Red Cross seek plasma donations from recovered COVID-19 patients.

The convalescent plasma program is overseen by the Mayo Clinic.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is part of the national compassionate-use trial, and so far, has treated six COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma.

There is a waiting list of COVID-19 patients awaiting plasma matches.

“At the present time, no medications have been proven to treat this illness. We are eager to offer any potential interventions like convalescent plasma that might make a difference for our critically-ill COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Timothy Friel, Chair, Department of Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“The only way we can continue to offer this option to patients and gather the data to determine if this treatment works if for people to donate plasma,” Friel said.

Plasma, which is the liquid part of blood, cannot be manufactured by a pharmaceutical company. Donations from recovered patients ensure a continued supply for the investigational therapy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is permitting the use of convalescent plasma as an investigational treatment for patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 infection. It is considered an investigational treatment because clinical studies have started but have not yet been completed.

When a person contracts a virus such as COVID-19, the immune system creates antibodies to fight the virus. Those who have recovered from COVID-19 may have immune-boosting antibodies in their plasma, called “convalescent plasma,” that could be used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients. This provides a boost to the immune system of the sick patient and may help speed the recovery process.

A recovered COVID-19 patient can donate plasma 28 days after symptoms have resolved or 14 days if receiving a negative COVID-19 test.

Patients interested in making donations have the same screening that is performed on all blood product donors.

To become a convalescent plasma donor, contact the MyLVHN Nurse Line at 888-402-LVHN (5846).

Information: www.LVHN.org/COVID19; Miller-Keystone Blood Center, www.GiveaPint.org; Red Cross Donation Center, www.RedCrossBlood.org