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COVID Convalescent Plasma Donors In High Demand At Community Blood Center In Dayton

Rebecca Whited donates convalescent plasma at the Community Blood Center in Dayton.
Community Blood Center
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Rebecca Whited donates convalescent plasma at the Community Blood Center in Dayton.

There has been a sudden rise in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infections, which has created a shortage of convalescent plasma used in the treatment of the virus. So, the Community Blood Center in Dayton is once again looking for donors to step up.

Mark Pompilio with the CBC in Dayton says, the on-hand supply of CCP - or convalescent plasma - has been depleted, and that’s creating a high demand for donors with B and AB blood types.

“We're using the terms critical and urgent so commonly now," he says. "It's become our daily dialog, and there's a danger in that fatigue. And we know that donors are hearing us, but are they able to respond? It’s a tough one."

Pompilio says the blood center has shipped more than 1,400 doses of convalescent plasma to hospitals in the region since Ohio’s collection program started in early April.

To donate, people must have tested positive for COVID-19 by RNA swab test, or tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies by a blood test, and must be completely recovered.

Go to www.givingblood.org to find our more about CCP donations and to register to donate, or call (937) 461-3220.

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Jerry Kenney was introduced to WYSO by a friend and within a year of first tuning in became an avid listener and supporter. He began volunteering at the station in 1991 and began hosting Alpha Rhythms in February of 1992. Jerry joined the WYSO staff in 2007 as a host of All Things Considered and soon transitioned into hosting Morning Edition. In addition to now hosting All Things Considered, Jerry is the host and producer of WYSO Weekend, WYSO's weekly news and arts magazine. He has also produced several radio dramas for WYSO in collaboration with local theater companies. Jerry has won several Ohio AP awards as well as an award from PRINDI for his work with the WYSO news department. Jerry says that the best part of his job is being able to talk to people in the community and share their experiences with WYSO listeners.