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The FDA asked Mayo Clinic to lead a COVID-19 convalescent plasma study. Baton Rouge General is a registered site, meaning we can provide hospitalized patients access to this therapy as part of a clinical trial.

Clinical Trial: Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of Patients with COVID-19

Baton Rouge General is participating in the FDA’s Expanded Access to Convalescent Plasma program (CCP) that is led by the Mayo Clinic, and is looking for donors. If you’ve survived COVID-19, you may be able to help others fight the virus by donating plasma.

Plasma is the liquid yellow portion of blood that contains things like antibodies and proteins. Convalescent plasma is plasma collected from someone who has recovered from the infection. Using convalescent plasma to treat viruses has been around for years. It was used in the 1918 flu pandemic as well as for more recent viruses including SARS, MERS, and the 2009 H1N1. Giving patients antibody-rich plasma from someone who had recovered from those viruses seems to have been beneficial. Researchers hope that convalescent plasma can be given to people with severe COVID-19 to boost their ability to fight the virus.

How do I donate?
LifeShare uses a procedure much like whole blood donation. A needle is placed into a vein in your arm and blood is drawn into a special medical device that separates your plasma from your red blood cells. After separation, your red blood cells are returned to your body in the same way. The entire process takes about 45 minutes.

What is COVID convalescent plasma (CCP)?
COVID Convalescent plasma is plasma from a person who had the disease, produced antibodies to fight COVID and has recovered.

Why is this clinical trial being done?
COVID-19 convalescent plasma has not yet been demonstrated to provide clinical benefit in patients affected by this disease. This is a clinical trial to learn more about the potential beneficial effects of this treatment for those with COVID-19.

Am I eligible to donate for this study?
If you tested positive for COVID and have not had any symptoms for at least 14 days, the next step is to be tested again. If your result is negative – you are eligible.

Alternatively, if you tested positive for COVID and have not had any symptoms for 28 days you are eligible.

I think I am eligible. What do I do next?
Contact your physician or call Baton Rouge General at 763-4111 for more information. After a brief phone call, the required referral to LifeShare may be completed.

Who receives the convalescent COVID plasma (CCP)?
CCP is requested by a physician and transfused to assist in the recovery of those severely affected with COVID- 19. This treatment approach has been used in other disease situations (e.g. SARS, MERS, H1N1, Ebola).

Where do I go to donate plasma?
LifeShare Blood Center 5745 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225.383.7728

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