Free COVID-19 antibody testing at Murphy blood drive

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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 17.2 million units of blood are used in transfusions every year for accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs, surgery patients and more. In March, the CDC issued a statement encouraging healthy people to donate blood at blood centers that adhere to public health and safety guidelines.

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.