Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman Sen. Sonny Angara donated plasma to help in the treatment of patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The second-generation politician took to social media platform Twitter Monday afternoon and said that it is his way of giving back after recovering from the virus last April 11.
Angara announced last March 26 that he tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the third senator next to Migz Zubiri and Koko Pimentel to get infected by the dreaded virus.
“Yesterday, was a chance to give back to the medical community that nursed me back to health. Survivors’ plasma can help cure COVID-19 patients,” Angara tweeted.
Earlier, the Philippine General Hospital appealed to COVID-19 survivors to donate blood for convalescent plasma therapy, which could potentially increase recovery chances among patients.
PGH’s call has been heeded by a few so far. Aside from Angara, Sen. Zubiri, who’s also the chairman of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Foundation, has expressed willingness to donate as well.
Angara also hopes that the Department of Health, the National Task Force against COVID-19, and the Department of Interior and Local Government could all help in the blood donation efforts.
“Hope DOH, the COVID-19 Task Force, and DILG can help share databases to ask COVID-19 patients to share their plasma. Needed by patients now,” Angara wrote.
“Right now, the hospitals just have an informal network. Agency or institutional action will speed up the process of getting survivors to donate,” added the 47-year-old lawmaker.
Angara also encouraged others who know of survivors to help in this cause as the country continues its fight against the virus, which has infected hundreds of thousands globally.
“The moment plasma is given it goes straight to a COVID-19 patient. Please tell any survivors you know that here is no stigma — they can save lives.”
