What to Know
- After recovering from the novel coronavirus, Marisa Leuzzi, 31, contributed her plasma to her aunt along with a New Jersey guy who were both seriously ill from the disease.
- Both patients recovered after receiving the donation.
- Health experts are hoping the speculative treatment will save the lives of more people who are battling COVID-19
A Chester County woman who recovered from the unique coronavirus stepped up to become America’s first Red Cross donor to offer life-saving plasma to two critically ill COVID-19 clients, including her own family member.
In March, Marisa Leuzzi, 31, of Downingtown, recuperated from what doctors considered a moderate case of the unique coronavirus. Her auntie, 63- year-old Renee Bannister, wasn’t so lucky however.
After testing positive for the infection, Bannister was put on a ventilator in vital condition. That’s when Leuzzi decided to take part in a speculative treatment that medical professionals are hoping will show to be the secret to stopping the coronavirus.
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” I believed, ‘I need to do this.’ Not doing it wasn’t a choice for me,” Leuzzi stated.
Specialists say those who have actually fully recuperated from COVID-19 have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus. The discovery caused an across the country effort to gather blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to help in dealing with those currently ill with the illness.
With her aunt defending her life, Leuzzi became the first Red Cross donor in the nation to participate in the treatment.
” The night before she got the plasma, doctors called us and stated they’re providing her about 12 hours to live,” Leuzzi stated.
After Bannister got her niece’s plasma, her diagnosis rapidly enhanced. It didn’t end with her. Leuzzi’s contributed plasma also conserved the life of a total stranger; a 61- year-old guy from Washington Town, New Jersey, who had actually been critically ill from COVID-19 prior to receiving the plasma.
” Marisa conserved 2 lives,” Leuzzi’s uncle, Greg Bannister, told NBC10
The FDA still considers the use of plasma as a speculative treatment. Yet with more cases of clients recuperating after being a recipient, increasingly more donations are being available in.
” We constantly come together to help in times of need,” Dr. Dan Borge, a Red Cross Medical Officer, told NBC10 “We had an excellent outpouring of individuals that had an interest in helping to support this process.”
Leuzzi said it was worth her time and energy to save a life.
” It will really assist a great deal of people and in an attempting time like this, we need to discover the silver lining and bring some hope to others,” Leuzzi said.
If you’ve recuperated from COVID-19, are at least 17 years of age and in good health, then CLICK HERE for more information about the contribution procedure.
