President Trump Visits the American Red Cross
To Highlight Need for Convalescent Plasma During COVID-19
The President of the United States visited the American Red Cross on Thursday, July 30, to help raise awareness for convalescent plasma, a hopeful treatment in the fight against coronavirus. He also conducted a roundtable of experts who spoke about the importance of convalescent plasma and other efforts aimed at fighting the pandemic.
The American Red Cross is a neutral, impartial humanitarian organization whose mission is to prevent and alleviate human suffering.
With coronavirus cases surging across the U.S., the Red Cross faces an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma, a potentially lifesaving treatment for patients battling COVID-19. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 that contains antibodies that may help patients actively fighting the virus.
Over the past several weeks, supplies of this critical product have plummeted, despite our public outreach efforts. Right now, Red Cross distributions for convalescent plasma are exceeding our collections of this antibody-rich plasma product for patients. The Red Cross is doing everything we can to reach new convalescent plasma donors and increase availability of these products for COVID-19 patients.
We appreciate the engagement of the White House and Administration to elevate this critical need for convalescent plasma, which we hope will motivate COVID-19 survivors to give across the country.
Helping to save a life during times of crisis is not a reflection of political position; in contrast, the act of caring for one another reflects our collective humanity.
As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the American Red Cross is guided by our seven Fundamental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. These humanitarian principles are at the very root of our mission and enable us to engage with and help people regardless of political affiliation.
To meet the needs of hospital patients across the country, the Red Cross needs to collect thousands of blood donations each day. Blood donation, and specifically convalescent plasma donation, is one way we can come together to help meet the dire needs of this pandemic.
Individuals who have fully recovered and received a verified COVID-19 diagnosis are urged to sign up to give convalescent plasma now by completing our Donor Information Form on RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid. Join us.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.