Unlike blood platelets, which have a shelf life of five days, convalescent plasma is immediately frozen and can last for one year, Lane said. Administering plasma donated by those who have tested positive for the virus' antibodies to COVID-19 patients has been found to be an effective treatment for many struggling with COVID-19. Tom Wolf upgraded the county to green status June 5.Ī plasma and blood drive Saturday for Cheyenne Widenhofer, a 13-year-old Ford City resident who developed vasculitis in April, obtained enough blood products to help 105 people.Ī special need for convalescent plasma has arisen in the coronavirus pandemic. Some blood drives have been held locally since Gov.

She said blood donation remained available at Butler Health System's Crossroads Campus and 10 other donation centers in the region during the stay-at-home order associated with the pandemic. “The need for blood never stops,” Lane said, adding that “every drop of donated blood is used.”

Kristen Lane, Vitalant spokeswoman, said a multitude of blood drives in churches, schools, libraries, fire halls and other public buildings were not held during the red and yellow phases of the pandemic because those buildings were closed. The nationwide organization also stressed the need for convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients. Vitalant has issued a request for the donation of blood and blood products. The cancellation of community blood drives during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a need. Vitalant has issued a call for the donation of blood and blood products. Kelly O'Hare of Vitalant draws blood from Cole Patterson of Butler at Friday's blood drive at Clearview Mall.

Clearview golf course donation request