MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Red Cross is in need of more than just blood donations right now.
The organization is seeing a significant decrease in the number of donors they need for COVID-19 research.
C1 3 b13 good evening and thanks for joining us for 41nbc news at 11:00.
I'm tucker sargent.
Our top story tonight at 11: the red cross is in need of more than just blood donations right now.
41nbc's peyton lewis tells us how you can help with with their urgent need right now.
0:48 1:12 the american red cross is distributing convalescent plasma products faster than blood donations are coming in, which is resulting in an emergency shortage of a potentially life saving treatment.
The red cross says it's seeing a significant decrease in the number donors they need for covid-19 research.
The non profit has been assisting medical facilities and scientists, to find antibodies for the virus.
They ask people to donate something called convalescent plasma.
Jenny pieterick, for the blood bank at the medical center, navicent health, says convalescent plasma can be a useful tool in the fight against covid-19.
"if you have recovered from covid-19 you most likely have antibodies to covid in your plasma and it can help someone via transfusion to overcome the effects of the virus."
, a red cross representative, says you must meet certain criteria to donate the special plasma.
"with the plasma for covid, we would need you to go to the website redcross.org/plasma4covid to fill out a donor information form.
To be eligible to give, you must be at least 17 years old, weighing at least 110 pounds, in good health and generally feeling well."
You also must show you've tested positive for covid-19, and successfully recovered without any more symptoms before donating.
Pieterick says she and others are encouraging people to do what they can to help.
"i would definitely wear a mask, practice social distancing of course, if you're eligible i would try to donate and you can see if you do have antibodies that would help those who really need those plasma antibodies."
In macon, peyton lewis, 41nbc news.
The red cross is testing for antibodies in every blood donation they receive.
Those who donate, can receive their antibodies test results within 7 days.
Phase three of a coronavirus vaccine trial got underway vaccine trial a coronavirus phase three of 7 days.
Results within antibodies test receive their donate, can those who receive.
Donation they every blood antibodies in testing for the red cross is 41nbc news.
Peyton lewis, in macon, antibodies."
C1 3 b13 those plasma antibodies."
In macon, peyton lewis, 41nbc news.
The red cross is testing for antibodies
Beloved Superfan Mo Gaba is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
