Spearheaded by SDSU Interfraternity Council
SAN DIEGO (October 1, 2020) San Diego State University’s Interfraternity Council in partnership with numerous student organizations have put out a call to donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma and blood.
Many members of the SDSU community, including students, who have tested positive for COVID-19 may qualify to donate their plasma to help treat patients currently suffering with the virus. Donors must be symptom free for 28 days.
“When we heard there was a tangible way SDSU students could help our community, we were inspired to act. This is an opportunity to turn the outbreak among SDSU students into something meaningful and life giving for others,” said Evan Ferguson, Vice President of Programming for the Interfraternity Council. “We also know that cancelled college blood drives are causing a shortage in the blood supply and we are asking students and alumni who are feeling healthy and well to help stand in the gap.”
Every fall semester, San Diego Blood Bank hosts more than 130 high school and college blood drives. These drives equate to over 5,100 pints, saving up to 15,300 lives in our community. This loss is causing a shortage in the blood supply.
Students and alumni are asked to donate during the month of October, and to mention the donation code SDSU when donating at any San Diego Blood Bank donation location or mobile drive.
Plasma donations from people who have recovered from COVID-19 may help others who are currently fighting the virus. This is because the plasma has developed antibodies against the virus. Convalescent plasma has been previously used to successfully help treat infectious diseases similar to COVID-19, including the Spanish Flu, SARS, and H1N1.
“A convalescent plasma donation could help 3-4 people who are suffering from COVID-19” said David Wellis, CEO, San Diego Blood Bank. “For those who have never contracted the virus, we are also asking for standard blood donations so everyone can participate.”
To see if you qualify, or to make an appointment to donate blood, visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org. Donors must be 17 years or older, weigh a minimum of 114 pounds and be in general good health.
About San Diego Blood Bank
SDBB is dedicated to community health by providing a reliable supply of blood to patients in need. Our vision is to further ensure the health of our community by simultaneously delivering related health and wellness education and services and extending into research. SDBB is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves hospitals in San Diego, Orange, Imperial and Los Angeles counties with blood transfusion products and reference laboratory services. SDBB currently operates six local donor centers and 10 bloodmobiles. SDBB’s Cell Therapy Program provides life saving stem cell transplants to patients worldwide. For more information about SDBB, visit www.SanDiegoBloodBank.
