Recovered COVID-19 Patients Donate Antibodies in Unique IDF Blood Drive
This week, hundreds of officers completed Officer's Course and started their position as commanders in the Israel Defense Forces, out of a desire to give to the State of Israel. Just a day before receiving their new ranks, they decided to give another gift—a blood donation campaign that will help COVID-19 patients in critical condition to recover.
27.10.20
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COVID-19 affects all of us in almost every part of the world. It even reached the IDF Officer’s School. COVID-19 affects all of us in almost every part of the world. It even reached the IDF Officer’s School. Some of the cadets there were diagnosed with COVID-19, and an additional number were placed in quarantine. When the cadets returned, they decided to start a special campaign to donate their blood. The blood plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients contains antibodies that act against the virus. Therefore, many hospitals are using these antibodies to treat patients in critical condition.
"Throughout the year, the officers' school recruits officers and cadets to help with statewide campaigns to donate blood, so now in such an emergency setting, we knew we had to help," says Lieutenant Adi Oved, an officer from the medical team at the Officer’s School. "The clinical staff on our base suggested initiating a blood donation campaign with officers who have recovered, so that the antibodies can help COVID-19 patients in critical condition with their recovery."
Thanks to the antibodies present in the body of recovered COVID-19 patients, their blood plasma could potentially be life-saving. "When the new officers realized how significant their donation was, everyone wanted to donate. The response was very impressive. In one day, more than 50 new officers donated blood. Even those who could not donate joined the project and helped publicize and explain the campaign to all the soldiers on the base," Lt. Adi explains.
The new officers were excited to participate and take part in the initiative: "We felt privileged that we could turn the less-than-ideal situation of catching COVID-19 into something else. We were happy that we could turn the crisis we had into something good and positive"
The IDF Officer’s School is known for the support it gives to the nation's citizens. Every year, more than 2,000 officers and cadets from the school donate blood to hospitals across the country. "It is a privilege," concludes Lt. Adi Oved. "I feel honored to be a significant part of the IDF efforts to fight COVID-19.”
