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Family battling Covid-19 makes plea for plasma donations

It could save a life
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INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS — Leah wagoner is still recovering from COVID-19. Her four-year-old son is finally feeling better too, but her husband is in the ICU.

“There's a national shortage right now of plasma I just want everyone who has had COVID-19 to donate plasma,” said Leah Wagoner.

He woke up one day with a very bad headache. We didn't think a lot of that. Because it was a headache. The next day it was a headache and muscle aches.

It’s been two weeks since her husband, Neil, was diagnosed with the virus and almost put on a ventilator. He was required to lay flat face down in the prone position. Staying in that position may have kept him off the ventilator but his wife believes it was a plasma donation that has made a true difference in his recovery.

“It took a few days it takes a few days for the plasma to kick in,” said Wagoner.

It's been one week and already he's improving. “He's sitting in a chair and the amount of oxygen they are giving him is reduced. He's eating, he's working again. Pulling out his laptop and getting curriculum together,” said Wagoner.

After seeing results, Wagoner wants more people who have been diagnosed and survived COVID-19 to come forward to help those who are currently battling the virus.

“With the surge of people having, it that means there’s a new surge of people who can donate,” said Wagoner.

Her husband received COVID-19 convalescent plasma experts believe people who have recovered from COVID-19 are able to provide plasma with antibodies to help those still fighting. Wagoner's coworkers have planned a drive to help with the national shortage. The blood drive in honor of Neil Wagoner will be held on Friday, November 27 at Hamilton Southeastern High School new auxiliary gym. The event starts at 9am.