Hardin wasn’t eligible for two clinical trials for COVID-19, but Ahuja told Hardin of the blood plasma trial that would transfer antibodies found in the plasma of someone who had recovered from COVID-19 — known as convalescent plasma — to her. Those antibodies from the donor would in turn help Hardin’s immune system fight off the virus.

Her doctor, Dr. Divya Ahuja, specialist in infectious diseases at Prisma Health, recommended a plasma transfusion, which takes antibodies found in convalescent plasma from patients who’ve recovered from COVID-19 and puts it in her system.

Representative Joe Cunningham donated plasma on Thursday to potentially be used in COVID-19 recovery efforts. Rep. Cunningham has fully recovered from COVID-19 after testing positive for the virus in late March.

Four critically ill COVID-19 patients were successfully infused with convalescent plasma by MUSC Health physicians as part of an investigational treatment to improve their symptoms and help them to recover after contracting the deadly coronavirus.

The congressman, who lives on James Island, was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March and has since recovered. His symptoms were mild and he did not require hospitalization. Doctors are hopeful that blood plasma from recovered patients like Cunningham will be useful in treating people whose symptoms are potentially severe. 

Since The Blood Connection said they are in urgent need of blood donations amid the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing concerns, the blood center is partnering with NewSpring Church for three days of blood drives at different church campuses.