COVID-19 survivor Gab Valenciano donated plasma via the Philippine Red Cross. Image: Instagram/@gabvalenciano
Gab Valenciano urged fellow COVID-19 survivors to donate their plasma to help others in the fight against the disease amid the surge in cases and fatalities.
Valenciano, a mental health ambassador for Red Cross Youth, stressed that undergoing convalescent plasma donation is “another way we can fight this virus,” as seen on his Instagram account on April 11.
“YOUR PLASMA CAN SAVE LIVES,” he stressed. “Last November, I tested positive for COVID-19 and chose to keep it strictly between family and friends for very personal reasons.”
“It wasn’t severe in any way and I fully recovered by following all protocols and by the full support of my loved ones, even from afar. I never planned to post about it till today because right now, WE NEED HEROES,” Valenciano added.
Valenciano, who teamed up with Red Cross Youth to raise awareness on convalescent plasma donation, explained to the public that plasma can only be donated by people as it is not artificially created.
“Plasma is the liquid part of your blood which contains antibodies that keep your body working well and helps fight off deadly diseases. In this case, COVID-19. Once you contract the virus and recover from it, you now have antibodies in your blood which gives you the opportunity to be a hero and save lives,” Valenciano explained.
“The plasma is infused into the bloodstream of a patient who is in critical condition to help them fight the virus and recover,” he added.
Valenciano’s post came with several photos and videos of him throughout the donation process at the Philippine Red Cross national headquarters in Mandaluyong.
“People need to know about this. We can talk about death and recovery numbers and percentages all we want, but a life is a life. If we can save one, we’ve already won,” Valenciano said.
Those willing to donate can contact Ms. Lalaine Ilagan at 0917-582-0499 or 0915-399-7718 for more details. The public may also personally message Valenciano or look through his Instagram account for more information.
“To those who have recovered, this is our silver lining. This is our chance to make a difference,” Valenciano stressed. “Stay safe, stay strong, stay vigilant and stay hopeful. We are in this fight together. God bless us all.”
Valenciano also thanked Red Cross Youth manager Thes Bongiad, his former teacher, for guiding him through the donation process. /ra
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