Man Who Recovered from COVID-19 Now Donates Blood to Save Others

A man from California recovered from COVID-19 and is now donating his blood plasma so that others may also recover from the deadly infection.

Jason Garcia, 36 years old, an aerospace engineer living in Escondido, California, found himself having some congestion and a mild cough last March 6. During a work trip, headache added to his cough, and within a single day, intermittent body aches and fever also started. Afterward, shortness of breath entered the picture. These are some of the symptoms that experts say should prompt people to get tested.

With his symptoms, Garcia was advised to go to a hospital and be tested for COVID-19. He was subsequently sent home, and on March 14, he was informed that he was positive. He was advised to stay isolated, so Garcia confined himself to the guest room or his office for almost 10 days. He stayed away from his wife and daughter 11 months of age.

On March 18, he considered himself free of symptoms. San Diego County said he is free to get himself out of isolation, and he did so on March 23. Before that, he isolated himself for five days, a period much longer than the 72 hours isolation recommended after symptoms have disappeared.

Garcia celebrated by posting about his ordeal on social media. At around this time, officials from St. Joseph's Hospital located in Orange County, California, were also looking for patients who have recovered, posting on social media about an experimental treatment that could save another patient's life. A friend of Garcia's who saw both posts informed the hospital, and they made a call to Garcia a few days after he ended quarantine.

The hospital requested a donation of plasma to a COVID-19 patient who was unresponsive to treatments and was in dire condition. Garcia agreed, knowing that it is an opportunity to save a life. St. Joseph's Hospital director of nursing for renal services Wendy Escobedo revealed that the recipient acquired antibodies from Garcia's plasma, which has antibodies against the virus, to help in fighting the disease.

In total, Garcia donated plasma for the experimental treatment to three patients. Last Sunday, Garcia was informed that his plasma has entirely been consumed and that the recipient with the worst condition already improved. A hospital spokesperson disclosed to CNN through email last Sunday how this patient now has better oxygenation has been taken off some medications and is gradually getting better each day.

Garcia said he experienced fear and dread after being diagnosed. However, he explained that his experience possibly saved someone else's life. Garcia is glad even though he does not know how he got the infection, he could still likely contribute to treatment before a vaccine can be available. If the experimental treatment works, he said, there is a good chance that other people can also be saved from heartache and will be able to fight for their life.

Since January of this year, the virus has spread to almost every US territory and state. Experts find it hard to tell how many have recovered from it.