Plasma Trial

Recovered Covid-19 patients could help those still fighting by participating in a plasma trial.

Patients who have recovered from covid 19 could help those still fighting the disease.

Allie martin tells us about a partnership between nmmc and vitalant that is helping fda research.

The investigational treatment allows those who have fully recovered from covid 19 to donate blood plasma, which could be used to treat critically ill coronavirus patients.

Nats machine those who have recovered from covid 19 may have immune boosting antibodies in their plasma, also known as "convalescent plasma."

The plasma is collected from donors and transfused to severely ill coronavirus patients at nmmc.

The antibodies can help patients recover from the virus.

"this is research, investigational, we hope it will work, we're very fortunate to have the opportunity to offer it to people but in order to do that it takes community awareness and community involvement."

And that means teamwork and collaboration from nmmc's hematology and oncology research clinic.

Jeff michelletti is clinical research coordinator and helps make sure all protocols and regulations are being followed and all data with the investigational treatment is collected.

"we capture the information that the investigators capture in medical record and enter it into a data management system, that's how the sponsor goes back and and analyzes all of the data for the study."

But nothing happens without donors, who have recovered from covid 19.

Once they consent, and with their doctor's guidance, they can donate plasma at vitalant.

"the plasma donation takes about 30 to 40 minutes and we can help the patient who needs it, it is a positive mark in the fight against covid 19 for the patients in the hospital."

Doctors say early results are promising, but more donors are needed, especially as local covid 19 cases continue to rise.

In tupelo, allie martin, wcbi news if you have recovered from covid 19 and would like more information, go to vitalant dot org slash covid free