Essex County Sheriff Donates Plasma After Beating Coronavirus – Livingston, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — There’s one thing that became clear to Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura as he navigated his way through a bout with the coronavirus: we all need to work together.

Recently, Fontoura got a big thumbs-up from the American Red Cross after he donated convalescent plasma in an effort to help combat COVID-19. Fontoura contracted the virus in March, but was able to beat it while making a full recovery at his home in Fairfield.

Recently, the World Health Organization said there is no evidence that people who have caught the disease in the past or have antibodies in their systems are immune from the coronavirus.

However, people with antibodies may have the ability to save lives by donating blood plasma for other COVID-19 patients as part of a new treatment for the disease. Fully-recovered patients can donate through the Red Cross at redcrossblood.org.

The sheriff expressed his joy at being able to help others in their fight.

“As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, it’s important for us to work together to keep everyone healthy,” Fontoura said. “There’s an urgent need for this plasma, and as someone who knows how grueling the fight against this virus is, I knew it was my duty to help others in their battle against COVID-19.”

Workers at the Red Cross offered Fontoura a note after he made his plasma donation: “When you signed up to give COVID-19 convalescent plasma, you volunteered to help save a life … the American Red Cross thanks you.”

Fontoura said just one donation of plasma to the American Red Cross can provide help to up to four people.

“I encourage every resident of Essex County who has beaten this deadly virus to donate their plasma so that they can give others that same opportunity,” Fontoura said.

The sheriff also urged members of the Essex County community to donate blood, regardless of whether or not they have contracted the coronavirus.

“Now more than ever, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations,” Fontoura said. “Recently, there has been a 30 percent increase in demand for blood as hospitals resume normal procedures. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for patients in need. Blood drives are available in and around the Essex County area, and I strongly advocate for members of our community to log on to the American Red Cross website to find where they can donate.”

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