Siena Hosts State’s First-Ever Convalescent Plasma Blood Drive

Southern Nevada COVID patients have access to first units as part of national trial

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LAS VEGAS, May 11, 2020 –

What:

Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, in collaboration with Vitalant, Nevada’s largest non-profit community blood provider, will host the first convalescent plasma blood drive in Nevada history. 

The Food and Drug Administration has approved convalescent plasma treatment as an “emergency investigational new drug.” It is currently the only antibody treatment available to COVID-19 patients and a promising new tool. Siena Campus doctors are participating in a national convalescent plasma study.

Convalescent plasma is blood component from recovered COVID-19 patients, which contains antibodies that may give COVID-19 patients an extra boost to fight their illness.

When:

Monday, May 11
Photo and interview opportunity: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Primary interview: Brian Lipman, MD, Infectious Disease specialist and participating investigator on the convalescent plasma study at St. Rose Siena.

Where:

Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, Siena Campus 
3001 St. Rose Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89052 (St. Rose Parkway and Eastern) 
Enter through main hospital lobby on north side of hospital. All visitors will be screened upon arrival and masks are required at all times inside the hospital.

Why:

Currently, there are no vaccines or proven treatments for COVID-19 because the virus is so new. Although trials for a vaccine are underway, it is expected to be many months before one is approved. Completely recovered COVID patients may have immune-boosting antibodies in their plasma - called convalescent plasma - that could be used to treat critically ill patients. 

First units from donated plasma are returned to the donation location. Southern Nevada patients will be among the first to benefit from these donations. 

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Donors for this plasma drive have been previously screened and scheduled. Donors cannot walk in for this procedure. Potential donors can only donate if they have applied and have been accepted to the program. Donors must meet all FDA-required donor eligibility criteria and be symptom-free for at least 14 days. Go to Vitalant.org/covidfree to begin the application process. Potential donors will then be contacted by Vitalant. 

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About Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican
As the community’s only not-for-profit, faith-based health system, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican has been guided by the vision and core values of the Adrian Dominican Sisters since 1947. As the Henderson and Las Vegas communities grow, the St. Rose Dominican health system and its nearly 4,000 employees will continue the Sisters’ mission of serving people in need. St. Rose Dominican is a member of the multi-state Dignity Health network of nearly 10,000 physicians, 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care centers, including hospitals, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, and primary care clinics. For more information, visit our website at www.strosehospitals.org.