MADISON – The staff at LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is pursuing an active role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals can help with the initiative.

LifeSouth is seeking patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and asking these men and women to donate plasma, Eric Franchois said. Franchois works in the Madison office as District Community Development Coordinator.

LifeSouth is partnering with medical centers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama to collect plasma from COVID-19 patients who have recovered with the goal to transfuse current patients and help with their recovery.

Plasma is the clear, straw-colored liquid in the blood that remains when red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are removed.

Recovered COVID-19 patients who were tested and found positive can donate plasma if they have not had symptoms for at least 14 days and test negative by a lab. These patients also can donate after 28 days without symptoms with no follow-up testing required.

“The treatment is considered an investigational new drug by the FDA and collected donations will be sent to medical centers to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients. The plasma contains antibodies that may help fight the virus,” Franchois said.

LifeSouth centers strive to develop a community’s blood supply by increasing blood donations from both new and existing blood donors and optimizing component yields from each donation.

In North Alabama, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers serve Athens-Limestone Hospital, Baptist Medical Center – South Jackson Hospital, Children’s’ Hospital, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Huntsville Hospital, Madison Hospital, North Alabama Medical Center, Red Bay Hospital, Russellville Hospital, Shoals Hospital and University of Alabama at Birmingham or UAB Hospital.

Individuals who are potential donors can call 888-795-2707 or email medicaloffice@lifesouth.org.

LifeSouth’s address in Madison is 8190 Madison Blvd. For more information, email egfranchois@lifesouth.org or visit lifesouth.org.