Blood drive offers free COVID-19 antibody testing

Posted September 07, 2020 11:00 pm

Submitted by Office of State Sen. Laura Murphy

To combat the nationwide shortage of donated blood and potentially help develop a treatment for COVID-19, State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is hosting a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Vernon A. Laubenstein Town Hall, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates.

"When the pandemic began in March, blood donations dropped significantly, but the need persisted," said Murphy. "Now, with researchers looking into plasma therapy as a potential COVID-19 treatment, donated blood is in especially high demand."

All successful blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Researchers hope blood containing antibodies - also known as convalescent plasma - may help treat people with severe COVID-19 by boosting their ability to fight the virus.

Murphy has partnered with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois to host the event. To ensure the safety of all staff and donors, masks will be required.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins may be accommodated if there are open slots.

To schedule an appointment to donate, visit http://bit.ly/BloodDrive-9-30.

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