COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Study

Houston Methodist would like to thank all our generous convalescent plasma donors. Because of you, we were able to perform research to learn more about the disease and provide treatment options to those suffering from COVID-19 — which ultimately led to saving lives.

 

Since March 2020, our team has been privileged to meet and to get to know our donors. We have listened to the ways in which the pandemic affected your lives, and what (or who) motivated you to participate in this program. We hope to document and preserve these humbling stories about loss, human resilience and generosity, all of which made us better equipped to fight during the pandemic.

 

Some of the details of the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Procurement Study are as follows:

 

  • The program opened March 20, 2020, and ended Dec. 14, 2023.
  • Number of units of COVID-19 convalescent plasma collected: 5,742.
  • Number of patients treated with collected convalescent plasma: 2,504.
  • The most convalescent plasma collected from a single donor: 13,800 mL (3.6745 gallons)

 

We hope this pandemic will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As we move forward, we again would like to extend our profuse gratitude to all the donors who contributed to the success of this program, as well as to our lead investigator, Dr. Eric Salazar, for his tremendous effort and dedication.

 

Although the demand for convalescent plasma has decreased, there continues to be an enormous need for blood donors. We ask you to consider continued donation to help make an impact on patients who need lifesaving blood.

 

Sincerely,

Brian Castillo, M.D.