OneBlood Testing All Blood Donations for Coronavirus Antibody

Donate Blood and Find Out if You Have the Antibody

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(Orlando, Florida – May 18, 2020) If you donate blood with OneBlood you will find out if you have the coronavirus antibody.  That’s because OneBlood, the not-for-profit blood center serving Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, is testing all donations for the COVID-19 antibody.

The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating by logging into their donor portal at www.oneblood.org.

“The testing brings many benefits. In addition to donors learning if they have the antibody, OneBlood will be identifying additional people who can be COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors”, said Susan Forbes, OneBlood’s senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations.

Convalescent plasma donors have a special ability to help critically ill coronavirus patients. By transfusing plasma that is rich with coronavirus antibodies into a patient still fighting the virus it can help boost the patient’s immune system and potentially help them recover.

With no cure or vaccine to prevent coronavirus, doctors are turning to convalescent plasma to help treat their critically ill coronavirus patients. OneBlood began collecting and distributing COVID-19 convalescent plasma in April.

OneBlood’s COVID-19 antibody testing will also provide important statistical information to public health officials.

“OneBlood is working closely with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees M.D., to provide de-identified data on the number of people testing positive and the geographical location.  This information will help in decision making for reopening the economy”, said Forbes.

OneBlood is one of the first blood centers to begin testing for the coronavirus antibody and plans to provide the antibody testing for the foreseeable future.

COVID-19 antibody testing will be performed in addition to the standard infectious disease testing all blood donations receive. Testing takes place at OneBlood’s laboratory, Creative Testing Solutions (CTS).

Appointment Required

Due to social distancing measures that OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment to donate.  Appointments can be made online at www.oneblood.org or by calling 1-888-9DONATE.

Media Tool Kit available here. Includes video of COVID-19 antibody testing and soundbites with Susan Forbes, OneBlood senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations, as well as sound from Ben Reynolds, Laboratory Director for Creative Testing Solutions.

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