Jews in the D
PHOTOS BY SHALOM KORN
How to Save a Life
Blood drives held in hopes of helping COVID-19 patients. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
O
n May 3, 220 individuals waited their turn to be part of a five-hourlong momentous blood drive in hopes of being eligible to donate plasma to help those suffering from COVID-19. Hatzalah of Michigan-Emergency Medical Services, in partnership with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., held the drive to identify those whose blood shows antibody levels high enough to allow them to donate plasma for scientific trials and treatment of individuals who have the virus. The drive, which took place in an outdoor, tented area at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah in Oak Park, was so well-attended, a second one was scheduled for Sunday, May 10. Ensuring social distancing, potential donors remained in their cars until called,
with testers maintaining minimal contact. Volunteer medics from the Oak Parkbased Hatzalah, along with area doctors and nurses, drew blood at the May 3rd drive. The Convalescent Plasma Drive was organized by Hatzalah, in conjunction with Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim of Lakewood, N.J., with the assistance of Dr. Nigel Paneth, a professor of epidemiology, biostatistics and pediatrics at Michigan State University and part of the leadership of the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project. The drive was sponsored by TCF Bank in collaboration with Hatzalah nationwide, Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield and the American Red Cross, with support from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
TOP: Tents and volunteers are ready for donors. BOTTOM: A volunteer gets ready to draw blood from a donor.
BLOOD TESTING Blood drawn was sent to the Mayo Clinic to be tested. Names of those whose tests show probable useful antibodies will be shared with Hatzalah, whose staff will work with Ascension to direct donors to blood banks and help with screening and registration. The process of harvesting — or removing — the plasma from the blood takes place at the blood banks. “It begins with a standard blood draw,” according to Hatzalah’s volunteer director, Dr. Steve McGraw, who is medical director of Oakland County Medical Control Authority and Emergency Department Chief at Providence Hospital. He and blood drive volunteer, hematologist and oncologist Dr. Daniel Lebovic oversaw the outdoor testing site.
LEFT: Blood plasma donation site parking lot. CENTER: Tents set up for blood donations. RIGHT: A volunteer checks donors’ paperwork.
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MAY 14 • 2020
