Canadian Blood Services announces first COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor
Canadian Blood Services has announced its involvement in a national clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 convalescent plasma as a possible treatment to help patients infected with the virus.
Officials say the initiative identified as CONCOR will initially see all convalescent plasma donations supplied to Canadian physicians caring for patients with COVID-19 in the context of the CONCOR trial and under the authorization of Health Canada.
On Thursday, the national blood authority and operator collected its first COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation in Vancouver.
“I’m delighted to be able to help out a really good cause,” says Jerry Glubisz, Canadian Blood Services’ first COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor, in a news release. “I have been an active blood donor for 15 years. I’m pleased my unfortunate situation can help somebody else. I think I’m doing a little bit of good out of all this.”