Cabinet secretaries, legislators follow Stitt in donating convalescent plasma to fight COVID-19

CABINET SECRETARIES, LEGISLATORS ANSWER GOVERNOR STITT’S CALL TO DONATE CONVALESCENT PLASMA TO HELP FIGHT COVID-19  

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 11, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that cabinet secretaries and state legislators who have recovered from COVID-19 have answered his call for convalescent plasma donations and will be making donations at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Oklahoma Blood Institute, 901 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

Scheduled donors include:

• Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz 
• Secretary of Digital Transformation and Administration David Ostrowe 
• Secretary of Energy and Environment Kenneth Wagner 
• Deputy Secretary of State Samantha Davidson-Guinn 
• Sen. Adam Pugh 
• Sen. Paul Rosino 
• Rep. Jason Lowe 
• Rep. Ryan Martinez 
• Rep. Cindy Roe 

Gov. Stitt recently made a plasma donation at the Oklahoma Blood Institute donor center in Enid and commented on how the process was easier than expected.

“I’m normally nervous to give blood, but the staff at OBI make it very comfortable for you and it worked out really well,” said Gov. Stitt. “One donation can provide lifesaving plasma for up to four people, and I applaud my team members and my colleagues in the Legislature for stepping up to help their fellow Oklahomans.”

Convalescent plasma is shown to be an effective treatment for COVID-19, as indicated in a newly released study. The plasma is being given earlier in the patient’s treatment, helping contribute to both the greater demand for the product and better patient outcomes.

Oklahoma Blood Institute provides convalescent plasma and other blood products to more than 160 hospitals and medical facilities across the state, with donor centers located in Ada, Ardmore, Edmond, Enid, Lawton, Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Donors can call 1-888-308-3924 or visit obi.org for more information.