Convalescent plasma helps COVID-19 patients breathe on their own, is desperately needed

There’s a desperate need for convalescent plasma. The South Texas Blood and Tissue center says they can't keep it on the shelves as hospitals are relying on it to treat COVID-19 patients.

It all starts inside the mobile donor units, where phlebotomistlike Debbie, with the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, STBTC, says it was a busy day.

"Even when we're busy were not meeting the needs of the hospital," Debbie said as she labeled plasma donations.

We visited the convalescent plasma inventory where Roger Ruiz, Corporate Communications Specialist with STBTC, said it was heartbreaking to see empty shelves.

"We want to make sure that we have all the blood types coming in and donating thats why it’s so important to donate” Ruiz said.

Shelves the STBTC says can be full of convalescent plasma as nearly 8,000 people in Bexar County have recovered from COVID, but only about 200 have donated.

"We still have about 300 orders we have to fill," Ruiz explained.

As the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center says they’re trying, to help fulfill the need Transfusion Medical Director, Doctor Leslie Greebon, says convalescent plasma helps COVID-19 patients fight the virus as it helps decrease the severity of the disease.

“Its decreased length of stay or stop being intubated and helps them breathe on their own, it is showing some benefit," Dr. Greenbon said.

Doctor Greebon says University Hospital is requesting between three to eight convalescent plasma therapeutic dosages daily and blames the shortage of Remdesivir for the need.

“We have had some patients that it took so long that either they recovered which is great or some have become deceased in that time frame," Dr. Greebon said.

Meanwhile, Emma Erfurt, 17, has recovered from COVID-19 and is doing her part to save lives.

"I've given three times so I can give to three people each time, so about nine," Emma said with a smile as she donated. "It's really cool to be able to see that like something bad that happened to me could be good for some other people.”

Emma and her mom, Leslie first thought about donating when their uncle Terry Eggleston, 70, was hospitalized for 12 days and needed convalescent plasma.

"He was waiting for plasma and at that time we knew my daughter was old enough to give,” Leslie said.

"We looked into doing a direct donation but the hospital didn't do that but I still decided to donate so I could help other people," Emma said.

Their uncle got the plasma transfusion and got better.

"It was a turn around for him, he recovered and now he's home and doing good," Leslie said.

The blood and tissue center says they have to process the plasma before it’s ready for a transfusion. Right now the turn around time is about 24 hours. Emma and Leslie say they will keep donating until their antibodies decrease.

“Do your part, wear your mask, social distance and I you do get it and recover do your part to donate and help others," Leslie said.

To date of as of publishing this article the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center sayshave sent out 2,957 units of convalescent plasma.

Today, they had 24 convalescent plasma donors who gave 84 units. They also sent 145 units of convalescent plasma to local hospitals.

There are currently 53 units of convalescent plasma on the shelf.

They encourage anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 to see if they are eligible to donate.