What is plasma?

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, and it is easily replaced by your body after collection. When separated out from the blood, it is an amber (or mustard) color, rather than red. Plasma consists mainly of water, proteins and antibodies. Most COVID-19 survivors have specific antibodies in their plasma that could help others fight the virus. This plasma in COVID survivors is known as COVID convalescent plasma (CCP). The level of antibodies in plasma varies from donor to donor.

How is plasma being used to help COVID patients?

Plasma has been used for many years to treat people during disease outbreaks and those with rare conditions or medical conditions. In the past it has been used to help patients fight the 1918 flu, polio, measles, rabies, hepatitis B, Ebola, and more recently SARS and MERS.

Plasma containing high levels of antibodies (high titer level) are infused into hospitalized COVID patients, early in their disease progression, to help their immune system fight off the disease. Plasma used for this treatment comes from people who have recovered from COVID-19. The antibodies in the donor’s plasma offer some protection until the recipient’s own immune system ramps up to produce their own plasma.

How has the use of plasma changed over the past year?

When COVID struck, there were no known treatments available to help patients recover. Because plasma has been used safely in the past to help patients recover from other illnesses, physicians around the world mounted an effort to use plasma from recovered patients to help those suffering from the disease. Plasma was often given as a last attempt treatment to the most critical patients. What scientists have learned over time, and through clinical trials, is that plasma with the highest levels of antibodies is the most effective when given to patients early on in their disease progression. This is how it is effectively being used today. The Emergency Use Authorization which explains the conditions under which plasma may be used as a treatment, has been updated to reflect the latest research. A patient fact sheet about plasma treatment is available, here. If a patient been recently hospitalized, plasma may be helpful in aiding thier recovery.

Can I help other people who are infected with COVID to recover by donating plasma?

Yes. If you have recovered from COVID-19, you can donate your COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) to help others. Every plasma donation can save up to 3 lives! The CCP in Survivors may contain antibodies that can be used in treatments to help others recover from COVID-19.

Please consider making a plasma donation to help those in need. You may give multiple times! For locations where you can donate plasma, see: www.survivorcorps.com/take-action.

All blood products are in demand. Right now, due to the efforts of Survivor Corps and its many partner organizations, there is a national supply of plasma that will last for a few months, but other blood products like Red Blood Cells and Platelets are desperately needed. If you can donate, please find a blood center near you and sign up today.

Does donating plasma reduce my own antibody levels?

No, plasma donation will not lower your antibody levels. The immune system quickly replaces any antibodies collected, and donation takes out only a small amount. The immune system is able to create new antibodies. The body replaces the donated plasma within 48 hours in a healthy adult. Whether or not you donate plasma, it is expected that antibody levels will fall naturally in all people after some months.

Where can I find information about where to make a plasma donation in my area?

Survivor Corps is a complete resource hub for information about plasma donation locations and research trials. Enter your zip code and information into the Plasma donation locators to find a list of donation locations near you that are accepting COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma for treatment and research purposes.

Can someone take me to and from the donor center?

Uber Health is providing roundtrip Uber rides to and from donor centers. You will have an opportunity to indicate if you need a roundtrip Uber ride when you search and sign up to donate through the website TheFightIsInUs.org. Some restrictions apply.

How long does it take for blood centers to get back to you once you contact them about donating plasma?

Donation centers are doing their best to respond quickly, however it can take a few days if the centers are busy. Please be patient. Your willingness to donate is appreciated.

What should I do before donating plasma or blood?

The loss of blood or plasma can lead to dehydration and cause some people to feel lightheaded during or after donation. It is important to drink plenty of liquids, have a snack and stick to mild activity after donating.

Remember to bring identification with you when you go to donate.

Is donating plasma safe?

Yes. Plasma donation is not new, and your plasma will be taken by a trained professional. When you donate plasma, you will be asked to answer some preliminary health screening questions for your protection. You will also be asked for identification. More information is available at your blood or plasma collection center.

Does it cost anything to donate?

No. Your plasma is a gift to someone in need.

How long do I have to be symptom-free to donate?

Please check with the center where you sign up. The most recent FDA guidance requires donors to be at least 14 days symptom-free, and to have a documented PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test indicating that you tested positive for COVID-19 or a positive antibody test.

Some centers may have more stringent requirements: that you be 28 days symptom-free, or have a positive PCR test (and will not accept an antibody test). If you still have a fever, body aches, cough etc. you are NOT symptom-free, even if you are generally feeling better. Check with your doctor if you have questions about whether you are fully recovered.

How does Plasma donation differ from blood donation?

When you donate blood, whole units of blood are removed from the body. When you donate plasma, it is collected through an automated process known as apheresis or plasmapheresis. Plasma is separated from the blood, and other blood components are returned to your body, including red blood cells and platelets. Antibodies needed to treat COVID patients are found in the plasma.

Is donating blood also helpful?

Yes! Please consider donating blood. There is a nationwide blood shortage. Many blood collection centers now test blood donations for antibodies to COVID-19. You will get the test results. If your blood contains antibodies, the valuable plasma may be separated out from your donation and used to treat a COVID patient, while the other valuable parts of your blood (such as red cells, white cells and platelets) will be used in important transfusions to others. Your blood has never been more valuable. You can sign up to give blood at https://www.survivorcorps.com/givingback. Please donate today!

How often can I donate plasma or blood?

You can donate plasma multiple times. Depending on the location, you may be able to donate weekly. Blood donations require a longer waiting period between donations. Please ask at the location you make your donation.

What will happen when I donate plasma?

The plasma collection process takes about 30-60 minutes. It is very safe and generally pain-free. Highly trained professionals take great care to minimize any possible discomfort. On rare occasions, some donors might feel faint or weak. Staff at collection centers are trained to recognize and deal with any adverse event that might occur. Please eat a healthy meal 3 hours prior to donation, and drink plenty of water the day before - and the day of - your donation. You can donate plasma multiple times.

Can women donate plasma?

Yes, women can donate plasma. If you are pregnant now - or have been pregnant in the past 6 weeks - you cannot donate. Plasma taken from women who have been pregnant in the past will be tested for antibodies to Human Leukocyte Antigen [HLA]. If the test is positive, these women cannot donate plasma for treatment purposes, but they can donate their plasma to be used in the development of the COVID treatment called hyperimmune globulin (HIg).

What is HLA and why am I hearing it can prevent women from donating plasma?

Women who have been pregnant in the past may have been exposed to HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) from their baby’s blood during pregnancy or delivery. These may also be referred to as “white blood cell antibodies".” If exposed, these women may develop HLA antibodies in reaction to this exposure. HLA antibodies are not harmful to the mother, however they can be harmful to the recipient of a plasma donation.

HLA antibodies have been linked to TRALI (Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury) which is a harmful complication that can occur in the plasma recipient. In order to reduce TRALI incidents, donations from female plasma donors - that are intended for use as a patient therapy or treatment - must test negative for HLA antibodies. If a Blood Center does not have the capacity to perform this HLA test, they will not take donations from women who have been pregnant in the past.

If a woman tests positive for HLA antibodies, she will always test positive. HLA antibodies will not dissipate with time. If you are donating for research purposes, you can donate plasma - even if you test positive for HLA antibodies. You may also still be eligible to donate blood.

If I test positive for HLA, is there anywhere I can donate plasma?

Yes. You can donate plasma for research purposes. The plasma will be used to make a concentrated Convalescent Plasma Therapy product. Plasma cannot be made in a lab or by artificial methods; therefore plasma donations for this purpose from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are essential. Find locations at: https://www.covig-19plasmaalliance.org/en-us#recruitment. You may also still be eligible to donate blood.

How can I get tested for Antibodies?

Please see Survivor Corps’ Antibody Testing section for details and locations where antibody tests are being offered. If you donate blood, the collection center will test your blood for COVID antibodies.

Even if a test shows you have antibodies to the COVID-19 virus, please remain cautious. It has not been proven that having antibodies means you are immune to COVID-19.

If I have COVID-19, how can I receive convalescent plasma treatment?

Talk to your physician. You must be in a hospital to receive plasma treatment. Recent studies imply that the earlier you receive treatment, the better.

On September 1, 2020 the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the use of COVID convalescent plasma as a treatment for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Information about how this program will work is developing daily. Information for physicians interested in obtaining plasma for their patients is available, here and here. Additional information for patients and families is available, here. Your physician should work with their affiliated blood collection center or hospital to obtain plasma.

You may also gain access to convalescent plasma by enrolling in a clinical trial that seeks to find answers about the safety and effectiveness of administering plasma to COVID-19 patients. Patients are being recruited to participate in these studies at many different medical facilities. To receive plasma treatment, you must either enter a controlled medical trial or receive permission through an Emergency Use Authorization. Trials and more information are listed here.

Can I make a directed, or targeted, plasma donation to a specific patient?

Generally, no. At the start of the COVID pandemic, plasma donations directed to a specific patient were allowed at most plasma collection locations. Now, more people are donating, capacity to take more donations is being built, and the logistics of managing all of these donations is getting more complex. Where possible, blood centers and hospitals are focusing on building up a stock of plasma, or general inventory, that can be accessible to anyone in need. Therefore, many blood centers are no longer allowing directed donations. This strategy will work if survivors continue to be Superheroes and give plasma as much as possible.

If you are seeking plasma and have identified a specific donor who can help, check with your doctor or the hospital’s regular blood center to determine if a directed donation is possible. Additional information for families and physicians and treatment facilities is available at www.uscovidplasma.org/family.

Can I donate blood or plasma after receiving the COVID vaccine, plasma treatment or monoclonal antibody treatment?

Details to come.