Those recovered from COVID-19 donate plasma at North Collier fire station

Those who have recovered from the coronavirus have the chance helping others going through the same thing.

“I don’t know where I got it,” Gloria Bordeaux said.

Bordeaux is testing for antibodies after recovering from COVID- 19

“It was very mild. I hardly knew I had it,” Bordeaux said. “I stayed at home for two weeks, had groceries delivered.”

But Bordeaux knows others aren’t as lucky.

“It’s pretty scary,” Bordeaux said.

“I know one of them that is still on a ventilator but she had underlying conditions”

Diana Edwards hopes the blood sample she and others at the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District station gave can eventually help struggling patients and further treatment

“We’ve seen a lot of positive tests so far with the antibodies and successfully able to give blood and plasma,” Edwards said.

It’s a cause so worthy to fire commissioners they donated their salaries for the entire month to make sure this drive could be free.

Nearly 300 tests and more than 60 units of blood were collected from the drive. North Collier firefighters are holding free testing again Saturday at the station on Veterans Park Drive.

“I think our community is a very giving community and want to support the needs that are out there,” said.

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 17
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (or until tests run out)

WHERE: North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District Station 45 – 1885 Veterans Park Drive Naples, FL 34109

REGISTRATION: Prior registration suggested. Visit www.northcollierfire.com and click on the Antibody Test Registration link on the home page.

CANDIDATE PRE-QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates will need to meet the following criteria to make a plasma donation:

• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (either by a laboratory, antibody test, or clinical diagnosis)
• Have been symptom free for at least 14 days
• Are 18 years or older and weigh at least 110 pounds
• Have not been diagnosed with HIV, Hepatitis B or C

TEST RESULTS: Available within 10 minutes

TESTS ADMINISTERED BY: North Collier Fire Rescue Personnel