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The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Tanya Sam Opens Up About Donating Plasma to Help COVID-19 Patients

The RHOA friend is urging others to get tested and donate to help others.

By Hannah Chambers
Tanya Sam Covid Plasma Donate

After testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, Tanya Sam is donating plasma to help those who are currently sick with coronavirus. The Real Housewives of Atlanta friend opened up about the experience recently, urging others to donate if they can. 

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“Giving COVID antibodies via plasma donation today. Since I found out I have COVID-19 antibodies, I’ve been donating my plasma to help aid those critically ill with COVID recover,” she explained in a September 28 Instagram post, in which she shared a video of herself during the procedure. “Although not a vaccine, the sharing of antibodies from plasma can help those who are ill, or goes to contribute to developing an immunoglobulin based treatment to also potentially treat the disease.” 

In another post, Tanya answered some questions she had received since sharing her donation with her followers. 

“I tested positive for antibodies for COVID-19 in May 2020, and I suspect I had COVID in December 2019 because I got sooo sick with what I thought as a horrible flu that kicked my butt for a full week and left me with a debilitating cough for over 6 weeks,” said Tanya. “I had just returned from a trip to San Francisco and that was the only time I have been sick, so it’s a guess and was fortunate to recover fully.” 

Tanya went on to explain the testing and donation process, noting that she gave “three units chock full of my COVID antibodies that should be able to help 1-3 patients depending on how sick they are.”

View this post on Instagram

Three bags full! 🩸 ⁣ Spent the afternoon (3hrs) donating COVID19 convalescence plasma that will go to help in-patient COVID patients recover and wanted to answering a few questions that came up in the comments....⁣ ⁣ I tested positive for antibodies for covid19 in May 2020, and I suspect I had COVID in December 2019 because I got sooooo sick with what I thought was a horrible flu that kicked my butt for a full week and left me with a debilitating cough for over 6weeks. I had just returned from a trip to San Francisco and that was the only time I have been sick so it’s a guess and was fortunate to recover fully 🙏🏾⁣ ⁣ I tested for COVID antibodies at my doctors office who drew a blood specimen and sent it to Labcorp. The prevalence and availability of covid tests has dramatically increased. GET TESTED! Just do it 💪🏾⁣ ⁣ I donated at @atlbloodsvs - If you google convalescent covid plasma donation and your city and you will find locations near you, I promise! In order to donate you need to have had a positive COVID test and be symptom free for 14 days. That said, if you haven't had Corona please consider giving blood 🩸 ⁣ ⁣ The process is not painful and takes about 2-3 hrs. They encourage you to drink lots of water before.⁣ ⁣ The nurse will check your Hgb level and repeat an antibody test onsite prior to donating. ⁣ ⁣ Then a quick needle poke to access your vein. (it doesn't hurt and my nurses were amazing!)⁣ The process separates your plasma (which carries the antibodies) from your red blood and shuttles your own blood right back into you. ⁣ ⁣ I was able to give a full 3 units chock full of my covid antibodies that should be able to help to 1 -3 patients depending on how sick they are.⁣ ⁣ So many are in desperate need all over the country and a mere 2-3 hours of your days can SAVE LIVES of someones loved one ❤️ ⁣ ⁣ If you don't have covid antibodies I also implore you to just give blood 🩸 ⁣ ⁣ Wear a mask. Love your people. ⁣ ⁣ #covid19 #convalescentplasma #wearamask⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

A post shared by Tanya Sam (@itstanyatime) on

“I tested for COVID antibodies at my doctor’s office, who drew a blood specimen and sent to Labcorp. The prevalence and availability of COVID tests has dramatically increased. GET TESTED! Just do it,” she continued. “The process is not painful and takes about 2-3 hours. They encourage you to drink lots of water before.” 

Tanya also underlined the “desperate need” across the country for plasma donations, and urged her followers to wear a mask and give blood if they do not have cover antibodies. 

Any health-related information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, or before embarking on any diet, exercise, or wellness program.

For the latest, most accurate information on coronavirus, go to the World Health Organization (WHO) website.

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