Thousands of frum Jews across the tri-state area lined up to donate plasma and possibly save the lives of many critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Thousands of people lined up on short notice to donate plasma and possibly save the lives of many critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The testing was arranged by Lakewood Bikur Cholim and held at three locations in Flatbush, one site in Boro Park, and one site in Baltimore.
In Flatbush, the testing was done by Flatbush Hatzolah at Yeshiva Chaim Berlin on Coney Island Avenue, the Sephardic Community Center on Ocean Parkway & Avenue S, and the Flatbush Hatzolah Garage on Ocean Avenue and Avenue N.
In Boro Park a testing station was set up at Ateres Golda Hall, and was run by Boro Park Hatzolah in conjunction with Yachad and logistics arranged by Boro Park Shomrim. Around 2,000 tests were done in Boro Park.
On Sunday, the Mayo Clinic received 1,000 blood samples to test for antibodies from donors in Lakewood, N.J. The testing was conducted by Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim, a medical assistance provider in Lakewood. Refuah Health Center, based near Monsey, has processed more than 2,000 tests, Lebovits said.
Dr. Mike Joyner, who leads the convalescent plasma program at the Mayo Clinic said he expects to process thousands more tests from Orthodox Jews, and that the community’s contribution to making New York a center of plasma donation could help people across the country recover from the disease faster.
In Baltimore around 1,000 tests were done on Wednesday as well.
The blood of those who had COVID-19 and recovered most likely contains antibodies that are able to attack the COVID-19 virus. Thus, plasma, a component of one’s blood that contains antibodies, can be used to treat COVID-19 patients and has been proven to give them a better chance of fighting off the virus.
The plasma kits were provided by the Mayo Clinic, one of the world’s premier medical institutions and delivered.
