The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a series of public service announcements (PSAs) and announced over $8 million in digital, radio and out-of-home advertisements to support a broader effort imploring Americans to donate their plasma and help save lives, states an agency press release.
The PSA campaign seeks to dramatically increase donations of convalescent plasma by the end of August in the whole-of-America fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“This important campaign is making it easier to find FDA licensed donor centers and hospitals across the country where you can donate plasma safely,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn. “My sincerest thanks go out to all of the people nationwide who have already donated plasma to support others in their fight against virus. If you have recovered from COVID-19, you can literally help save lives by donating plasma. I want to encourage all Americans to consider donating blood or plasma—not just today, but any day.”
The plasma of individuals who have recovered from an infection like COVID-19 may contain antibodies made by the immune system that can neutralize or kill the virus. Convalescent plasma therapy provides antibodies from those who have recovered from the virus to people who have recently contracted the virus so they may be better able to fight it off. Some data suggest that convalescent plasma may have a role in treating COVID-19, but more studies are needed. These studies will require the help of Americans who have recovered from COVID-19 who are willing to donate their plasma. That is why the nation’s leading public health experts have released these new videos, in a campaign calling on Americans to take action.
The message to Americans is simple:
· If you have recovered from COVID-19 after a confirmed test for the virus and have had no symptoms for at least two weeks, find a location to donate plasma;
· There are thousands of locations around the country where you can donate.
· Donation locations can be found at coronavirus.gov.
Everyone has a role to play in this fight – whether it’s social distancing, wearing masks, following federal, state and local guidelines or as these new PSAs urge, donating plasma.
