Hatzalah of Michigan is collaborating with TCF Bank, the Mayo Clinic, Lev Roche, Bikur Cholim of Lakewood, NJ and other Hatzalah organizations nationwide to offer COVID-19 IGG antibody testing in order to identify potential plasma donors for local patients.

Hatzalah is spearheading the campaign in Metro Detroit to test recovered patients for antibodies to coronavirus. Hatzalah has partnered with the American Red Cross, and individuals with antibody levels high enough to donate plasma will be directed to local blood banks.

“The community EMS work that Hatzalah does, saves lives daily,” said Gary Torgow, chairman of TCF Financial, which sponsored the drive. “This is yet another demonstration of how volunteers can impact communities in the most meaningful of ways. I want to thank all of our partners — the doctors, nurses and medical professionals, our American heroes who are fighting this disease every day.”

Plasma testing was provided by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, the institution providing coordinated access to investigational convalescent plasma for hospitalized patients with severe or life-threatening COVID-19, or those at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening disease.

The virus-fighting antibodies in the blood plasma of those who have recovered from the coronavirus are being used to treat thousands of patients still battling the disease. With the assistance of Dr. Nigel Paneth, a professor of epidemiology, biostatistics and pediatrics at Michigan State University and part of the leadership of the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project, and in partnership with Ascension Providence Hospital, Southfield Campus, Hatzalah ran a community COVID-19 blood plasma testing drive. The blood samples will be sent to the Mayo clinic where each individual’s level of COVID-19 IGG antibodies will be tested.

The outdoor testing site was overseen by volunteers Dr. Daniel Lebovic, a local hematologist and oncologist and by Dr. Steve McGraw, medical director of Oakland County Medical Control Authority and emergency department chief at Providence Hospital. Doctors, nurses and Hatzalah medics, all with proper social distancing and the highest safety measures, drew blood samples to be sent to the Mayo Clinic for testing.