Over 6,500 recovered COVID-19 patients donate plasma

More than 6,500 recovered COVID-19 patients have now donated plasma to the national emergency plasma treatment program, led by Mayo Clinic.

“This virus is a scourge on our society. It’s impacting the entire world,” said Jody Ross of Minnetonka, who donated plasma Friday. “I’m just a mom from Minnesota, but I have some antibodies that could help and I’m going to help,” 

Ross contracted COVID-19 in mid-March. She told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the physical pain was “indescribable,” from sinus pressure, to chest pain, to a dry cough.

"I will tell you the first week especially it was really scary,” Ross said. “I’m 50 years old, so I’ve had colds and the flu that we’ve all had. This was completely different.”

Follow KSTP's complete COVID-19 coverage 

She said it took more than a month before she recovered. As soon as she was able to test negative for the virus, she knew she wanted to donate plasma.

“When I went in there, I said, ‘Ma’am, I’m here to get tested so I can give plasma,’ and the whole group of them started cheering,” Ross recounted.

She said the plasma donation took about an hour and a half and left her feeling drained for a few days, but she believes it is a worthy cause.

"Each time I give plasma it will be injected into two gravely ill COVID patients,” Ross said. "That’s really all I’m trying to do is help us all understand this virus better and then give people a second chance, a fighting chance."

Mayo Clinic gave 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS an update on their program. They said 3,008 COVID-19 patients across the country had been infused with plasma, including 41 patients in Minnesota.

It is an experimental treatment and its effectiveness is still being studied.

In a statement, the research team said, “The Mayo Clinic-led Expanded Access Program for Convalescent Plasma is a national emergency plasma treatment program. It follows a bioethical research framework under the guidance of the US Food and Drug Administration. Study results cannot be shared until the study is completed and evaluated, which will take a minimum of several months."

Ross said she is hopeful her antibodies will help others in the fight against coronavirus. She intends to keep donating every month.

“It’s something I’m able to do and I’ll do it until they don’t need it anymore,” Ross said.

If you have recovered from COVID-19 and are interested in donating plasma, click here for more information.