FISHERS — Community Health Network President & CEO Bryan Mills has recovered from COVID-19, and now he's giving back to help others going through the fight.
Mills, who tested positive for the coronavirus on March 23, donated convalescent plasma Saturday at Versiti Blood Center of Indiana's Fishers location. Convalescent plasma is recovered from recovered coronavirus patients and used to help treat people who are most severely affected by illness.
"I really set a goal to get to today that I could donate my plasma," Mills said. "I'm just hopeful that somehow this helps others and it encourages others to come give their plasma, as well."
Along with plasma, blood donations are also needed. Community Health Network emergency physician Dr. Christian Ross said there is a critical level of all blood types across the state.
"We're so far behind now that we really need to ask people to come out and help," Ross said.
Mills said he plans to donate plasma regularly. A news release from Community Health Network said Mills' donation is one of 171 donations Versiti has received from Indiana donors since the program began in April, which is more than has been collected as other Versiti locations in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.
"It's a way to give back. It's a way to feel good, and it's a way to say, 'I'm doing something to help in the fight,'" Mills said.
