Mercy seeking plasma donors

Published November 24, 2020

With a rise in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, Mercy in Fort Smith and Rogers are reaching out to former patients to ask them to consider becoming plasma donors. The liquid part of blood from recovered COVID-19 patients, called convalescent plasma, may contain antibodies that may help others as they’re fighting the virus.

Donors are eligible if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and symptom-free for 14 days before donation. If a patient has received convalescent plasma or a blood donation as part of their treatment, they must wait three months to donate their own convalescent plasma.  

Mercy is sending a message to patients, asking those who tested positive if they’re willing to learn more about giving plasma. 

Mercy patients who do not have a MyMercy account can contact for more information. River Valley patients who received a positive COVID-19 test from a health care provider other than Mercy can reach out directly to the Arkansas Blood Institute by visiting bit.ly/covid19-registry or calling (888) 308-3924. In Northwest Arkansas, patients can contact Community Blood Center of the Ozarks by calling (417) 227-5324.