Health Officials, State Leaders Calling On Oklahomans To Donate Convalescent Plasma

Governor Stitt, the Oklahoma Blood Institute and first responders are asking Oklahomans to help fellow Oklahomans in the fight against COVID-19.

“We have had a spike here which has put a lot of patients in the hospital we are all hearing about the waits in emergency room for beds,” said Dr. John Armitage, with the Oklahoma Blood Institute.

As COVID-19 has made its way through the state it has taken a toll on metro first responders like the Oklahoma City Fire Department and Oklahoma City Police Department.

“We have a lot of officers who have suffered from it and officers who have been in quarantine. It has really stretched our numbers,” said Capt. Dan Stewart with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Thankfully, many have recovered and now are giving back what they can to help others – through convalescent plasma.

“Since I didn’t have to suffer a whole lot – it is important to me to try to help others that are as much as I can,” said Erica Jackson, an officer with OCPD.

To donate you must be fully recovered for two weeks and show documentation you tested positive for COVID-19.

Stitt gave his second round of the plasma Tuesday.

You are allowed to give once a week until the antibodies no longer show up.

One donation takes about two hours and can help four people in their battle with COVID-19.