The Gift of Life

Local Talks About Donating Plasma After Recovering from COVID-19

Emily Shaw of La Grange had corovavirus earlier this year but after recovering she made the decision to donate plasma, which can help other people trying to recover from the disease. “Just one donation can save four people’s lives,” Shaw said. “I don’t think enough people know the importance of giving plasma after having COVID.”

She went to College Station Saturday to make the plasma donation. We asked her to share her experience of deciding to donate and then describe the process.

Here’s her story:

I had heard that if a person had coronavirus they could donate their plasma to save a person’s life that was really struggling to live. Why not help save someone’s life if I can? I searched “plasma donations after covid“ and found thefightisinus.org I clicked on “Donate your plasma” and was asked a couple questions and my email. I received a phone call a day later and we set up an appointment at the closest blood center to us here in La Grange. I chose The Blood Center of Brazos Valley in College Station (also known as Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center) because it was close and the drive isn’t bad.

Their phone and address are (979) 764-5600 1701 Rock Prairie Rd., College Station, TX 77845.

I was told to eat a good meal and drink plenty of water the day of and day before. I eat healthy anyway and drink water all day, so I planned my meals so that I had a filling meal of protein and iron right before I left La Grange, and of course water, water, water. When I arrived, I was signed in and taken to a private room for blood pres sure check, red blood cell check and weight. Then the nurse asked me to answer a short series of personal questions on the computer and then left the room. I answered the questions and then I was taken to the collection area. I was hooked up to this machine that is pretty amazing. It draws blood out and separates the plasma, the clear yellow liquid in blood, from the blood. After about seven minutes of pumping blood out, my blood and saline solution was returned to me, then the blood draw process started over again. This was done four times, blood out, blood in, etc. They have drinks and snacks to have while donating as to not get weak. I had a Gatorade I sipped on the entire time. Afterwards, I felt perfectly fine. They have personal televisions at each chair with Directv to watch, so time goes pretty fast. It took 45 minutes from the time I sat down until I was finished. I was there for about one and a half hours from check in until I left. I was able to donate enough plasma to save three lives, what an amazing impact to have. Blessed to be a blessing! People may wonder if they take all your antibodies when they take your plasma, and the answer given to me is no. You will still have antibodies for COVID after plasma donation. Your body will actually make more plasma and antibodies with in the following 48 hours to replace what was taken.

If you have had coronavirus I ask you to please donate. I praise God for the science and technology we have today to help each other. What an amazing gift to give someone; the gift of life. I thank God I was able to help another one (or three) of His children. I praise You Father!