One thing everyday Texans can do to respond to the pandemic

If you suspect you’ve had COVID-19, go donate plasma.

Right now, one of the most promising treatments for the disease that’s affecting us all is convalescent serum antibody therapy. Even though it sounds complicated, it’s a process that doctors have used for more than a century, including during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. People who have recovered from the disease carry antibodies that can be transferred to those still sick via the donation of blood plasma. It’s not a cure, but it’s a treatment that has helped hundreds of COVID-19 patients get stronger.

The only thing stopping this treatment from helping thousands of sick North Texans is the low numbers of former patients donating plasma. Keoni Holoman, public relations specialist at Carter Blood Care, told us that area hospitals are requesting 100 units per day from her organization, but Carter can supply only a fraction of that. On Monday of this week, they collected from a measly 25 donors. To keep up with demand, they have had to import just as much from blood centers outside of the state as they’ve collected from donations locally. Carter is the only organization in North Texas with a dedicated location for collecting plasma for COVID-19 therapy.

Here is an opportunity for North Texans to help their neighbors.

To date, there have been 85,808 cases of COVID-19 in North Texas and 1,114 deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services and the COVID Tracking Project. That means there are more than 84,000 people with COVID-19 antibodies who could help save others in North Texas. Of course, not all of those 84,000 have fully recovered and not all may be good candidates for plasma donation. Carter’s screening process will help identify those who are. But certainly thousands of them are carrying potentially lifesaving antibodies.

Holoman said there is a common misconception that people can’t donate if they haven’t been hospitalized for COVID-19. She said Carter will take donations from anyone (assuming they pass the health screening) even if they only suspect they’ve had the disease.

Donating plasma is safe. Holoman described extensive screening and sanitation procedures Carter has enacted.

Last week, News reporter David Tarrant spoke with Dr. Donna Casey, an internal medicine specialist at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, who said she has been making appeals to former patients to donate. Politely, Casey said, “We’re not trying to hound anybody.”

But we’ll hound. Consider this a howl for more donors. If you have recovered from COVID-19 or just suspect that you’ve had it, go to carterbloodcare.org and register to give plasma. If you’re not a doctor, scientist or health care professional, it may be the most helpful step you can take against the pandemic.