BOSTON — A donation could make all the difference for Rutland police officer John Songy.
“John is hanging in there. No change with the plasma yet it takes time to see the results," said his wife, Joanne Songy, who is also a nurse.
Joanne put the word out on social media asking for blood plasma to help her husband who is in the ICU at St. Vincents Hospital in Worcester battling the coronavirus. She says he was in tough shape on Wednesday, when she spoke to Boston 25 News.
“He’s on hi-flo oxygen and they tell me with any movement his pulse drops in to the 80s," said Joanne.
Blood plasma from people who have recovered from the virus is a rich source of anti-bodies made by the body to attack the virus. It’s a treatment used for decades to treat diseases like Ebola and influenza. It’s effectiveness against the coronavirus not 100 percent clear.
Joanne tested positive for the virus on April 23rd. John who felt fine got tested immediately.
“He came back positive as well but he at that moment didn’t have any symptoms," said Joanne.
However that quickly changed and he ended up in the ICU within days. Doctors offered him plasma but the problem was the wait.
“So when I asked them how for the plasma he told me it could be up to a week," said Joanne.
Joanne said she couldn’t wait. She went to social media asking for help. Donors had to have tested positive for the virus, be six weeks post-COVID and be John’s blood type. She was overwhelmed by the response,
“I posted a message on Facebook and got over 3,200 shares," said Joanne.
Things hit a snag after the Red Cross said they do not offer direct donations. Joanne was desperate again. Then, her call to check on John yesterday changed everything. A nurse answered.
“And she said, ‘I’ve got great news, I’ve got the plasma and the doctor is in there right now and they are going to start infusing it,’" said Joanne.
Joanne then called her husband. “So I Facetimed him and he answered. She said, “Hey”. And he replied, “Hey, you got me some plasma!”
There’s no sign the plasma has kicked in yet, but Joanne is hopeful and wants her husband to know this,
“Just that I love him and I want him to get well and come home to me," said Joanne.
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RESOURCES:
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