COVID-19 survivor Iza Calzado donated her blood plasma to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Philippine Independence Day. It’s made even more meaningful because June 12 happens to be her late mother’s birthday.
Early April, the actress expressed that she would be willing to donate her blood plasma for its “potentially lifesaving treatment” of COVID-19 patients who are under critical condition.
In a Facebook post shared by her manager Noel Ferrer, Iza said that when she was still healing from the sickness she was already planning on donating her plasma.
“Nung nasa ospital ako at nagkaroong ako ng COVID-19 at nalaman ko ng pwede makatulong ang plasma ng mga survivors para sa mga meron ding COVID-19 na in critical condition, alam ko na sa puso ko na gusto ko mag donate,” she said.
The 37-year-old also urged those who are healthy and free of the virus to donate blood for those who are suffering other illnesses during the pandemic.
“Napakaraming tao ngayon ang nangangailangan ng dugo natin. Hindi lang po COVID-19 patients ang nangangailangan ng plasma pero marami pang ibang klase na sakit ang pinagdadaanan ng ating kapwa Pilipino,” she said.
Iza celebrated two milestones today — her mother’s birthday and her first time donating blood. She said her first blood donation has been a rewarding experience.
“Ang sarap po sa pakiramdam na alam mong nagbigay ng bahagi ng dugo mo, ng buhay mo, ng energy mo sa isang tao na nangangailangan talaga nito,” she shared.
A Philstar.com report said that “convalescent plasma, the fluid in blood teeming with antibodies post-illness, has proven effective in small studies to treat infectious diseases including Ebola and SARS.”
Iza tested positive for the virus last March 27. A few days after, her manager announced her recovery after her retest results came out negative.
“I am alive and for that I am truly grateful. I know that so many of you sent your love and support and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you,” said Iza in an Instagram post where she shared her COVID-19 journey.
