Recovered COVID-19 Patient In OKC Metro A Part Of Urgent Plasma Donation

An Oklahoma City metro woman is hoping to save people suffering from COVID-19 by donating her plasma. She told News 9 she was even part of an urgent donation. 

Michelle Tibbs describes having the virus as the worst pain she's ever felt.

Tibbs is a local hair stylist and thinks she caught an intense case of COVID-19 while on a trip. 

"I went to Denver for a women's event in early March," said Tibbs. 

This was all before the Thunder game that pushed OKC into the virus spotlight. 

Thankfully, Tibbs recovered and heard plasma donations were needed as an attempt to treat serious cases of COVID-19. 

"My cousins a doctor," explained Tibbs. "He really encouraged me follow up with that, and I got involved with IMMY Labs in Norman."

After her preliminary visit, Tibbs got a call saying her plasma was needed for several people in the ICU.

"You know after I got sick that was my draw to want to help," said Tibbs. 

She said she's just excited that her donation could potentially help people in need. 

The Oklahoma Blood Institute said Tibbs' plasma was taken the day after her donation to three different patients in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. 

"Rarely have I seen a situation where what we're producing is so intensely desired," said CEO of the OBI Dr. John Armitage.

He said they are seeing such a high demand that the comparison of plasma to liquid gold is not far off.

"These things are so sought after, you've almost got a hospital waiting for your donor to come in and then their claimed already." said Dr. Armitage. 

Tibbs is hoping her story will motivate someone else to donate.

"What better way to spend a few hours and give to save someone or to build up that bank," said Tibbs. 

She said she can give again in about a month, and she plans to. 

For more information on how to donate, anyone interested can visit OBI's official website.