We posted earlier today about the Spano family, who appeared last night on CBS Evening News to share the tragic story about the death of their son and brother, Dan.
We have been in contact with Melissa Marie, Dan's sister. She has an important message. Please consider sharing far and wide so we can stop the spread of COVID-19 and potentially save lives.
First of all, the Spano family would like to everyone who shared their social media posts when they were looking for a blood plasma donor for Dan. "We had an overwhelming amount of people share it and come forward wanting to help," says Dan's sister, Melissa Marie.
In particular, the family thanks Ridgefield native Adrien Zap who, after reading Dan's plight and need for a plasma donor, tried to save his life. "She is a stranger to us and was willing to drive all the way to Albany to extract her plasma for him," Melissa Marie explains.
Together with Dan's friends, Adrien spent an entire day at Norwalk Hospital working with doctors and nurses who were trying to expedite the process in the hopes of saving Dan. Melissa Marie says that the donation was to take place this past Monday, April 13. "Unfortunately he passed before we could try it," she says.
Melissa Marie and the Spano family want the community to know, especially younger people, that COVID-19 doesn't discriminate against age or health. "He was young and healthy," she says. "Social distancing is not a snow day. Stay home!" implores Melissa Marie.
And, if you have had the virus, consider trying to save the life of critically ill patients battling COVID-19. "Please get tested for antibodies and donate your plasma!" says Melissa Marie. "Many families have loved ones who are looking to try this [plasma donation] as a means of saving their lives," she adds.
Nuvance Health is actively developing a Blood Plasma Donation Program to treat critically ill #COVID19 patients. If a person has tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered, they may be able to donate their blood plasma. This blood plasma contains antibodies that can be transferred to patients fighting the virus.
In order to donate, a person must have had a positive COVID-19 test, be symptom-free for at least 14 days with a repeat negative swab or 28 days symptom-free with no need for a repeat swab.
Learn more HERE.
"No one should have to endure the pain of losing their loved one, especially to this virus! Hopefully, through this, a vaccine can be created so we can all go back to living our lives. Until then, please be safe and stay home!" says Melissa Marie.
To find out if you are a potential blood plasma donor, click here.