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Dec. 8, 2020 – Vitalant encourages new and existing donors of all blood types to give one last gift this holiday season by giving blood for patients in need. Giving blood, platelets or plasma continues to be an essential activity as designated by the U.S. Surgeon General and Federal Emergency Management Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“The last thing a patient and their family should worry about during the holidays is the availability of donated blood they depend upon. Cancer patients, trauma victims, premature babies and those battling COVID-19 all rely on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to recover, heal and thrive,” said Dr. Ralph Vassallo, chief medical and scientific officer at Vitalant.
 
Demand for Convalescent Plasma at Emergency Levels; Antibody Testing Continues
Convalescent plasma is collected from those who have recovered from COVID-19. It contains antibodies that can be used to treat patients with an active, severe COVID-19 case to give them an extra boost to fight their illness.

Even those who have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 can help. When donors give blood or platelets, they are informed of their antibody status; if positive, Vitalant produces convalescent plasma from the donation. These donors can then give a convalescent plasma donation in the future to help even more COVID-19 patients.
 
How to Give
All Vitalant blood drives and donation centers follow strict protocols to ensure the safety of donors, patients and staff, including checking temperatures, social distancing, requiring face masks along with other precautions. To learn more and schedule an appointment to give, please click 'Donate Now' above or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). As a small token of thanks, all donors who come to give blood Dec. 23 – Jan. 7 will receive a special-edition Vitalant T-shirt, which is redeemable via email.