Coliseum Medical Centers, Coliseum Northside Hospital and Fairview Park Hospital are participating in a national study to determine if plasma from convalescent, or recovered, COVID-19 patients may benefit individuals currently hospitalized with severe or life-threatening cases of the virus. As part of the effort, Coliseum Medical Centers and Coliseum Northside Hospital in Macon and Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin are seeking eligible volunteers to donate plasma to help current patients in need.
 
“We are proud to take part in this important study. We are asking for the help of our community to spread awareness about plasma donation for patients facing COVID-19 not only in Macon and Dublin, but also around the world,” said Dr George Harrison, Chief Medical Officer of Fairview Park Hospital and Interim CMO of Coliseum Health System.
 
To date, there is no proven therapy for individuals who are diagnosed with COVID-19, but there is a long history of successful viral infection treatment using convalescent plasma. After someone is infected with a virus like COVID-19 and recovers, their blood contains antibodies that their immune system produced to help them fight off the virus. By infusing this plasma into patients who are facing severe cases of COVID-19, their immune system might more effectively be able to fight the virus. Recent examples of this approach have occurred during outbreaks of coronaviruses like SARS-1, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), but additional clinical data – and more plasma donations – are needed to determine efficacy in treating COVID-19.
 
The success of the study hinges on the continued collection of plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients. People who tested positive for COVID-19 and have since tested negative can help by donating plasma through the American Red Cross or another local donation center. To find out more about the donation process, eligibility and locations to donate in middle Georgia, please call our dedicated COVID-19 Plasma Phone Line at (833) 582-1971.
 
The three middle Georgia hospitals are among 172 hospitals participating from the HCA Healthcare network. HCA Healthcare along with its Sarah Cannon Research Institute are leveraging their clinical research capabilities and national hospital network to quickly expand collection and testing for this study, which is being led by the Mayo Clinic and supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.