By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Red Cross is still in urgent need of convalescent plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID-19. Red Cross spokesman Joe Zydlo says that donors helped exceed the goal for December."We were very fortunate that the community continues to step up and support us at blood drives by donating blood and those folks that have continued to make blood donation a priority," Zydlo tells St. Joseph Post.Zydlo says that he has been with the Red Cross for almost five years and this is the first time he has not seen a blood shortage in December. With the blood donation conditions steady, the Red Cross is seeking donors who have recovered from COVID-19 and have plasma with the COVID antibodies.Red Cross spokesman Joe Zydlo says there is still an urgent need for something he calls CCP."CCP is COVID Convalescent Plasma and what that is, is plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19. It contains antibodies from COVID-19 in there," Zydlo says, adding a blood transfusion of those antibodies helps the patient fight off the virus.Zydlo adds that donating this plasma can be done very easily as the Red Cross tests each donation for COVID antibodies.Even as the coronavirus vaccine begins to rollout, Zydlo says that the convalescent plasma and COVID antibodies remain important."It will still remain, I think, a very important part, an integral part I think as far as recovery process because there are some people who probably don't believe in vaccinations that may not get the vaccine," Zydlo tells St. Joseph Post "I'm not one of those people, I do respect other people if they want to make their own decision thats their decision that's fine, but I still think that will be a factor that comes in."Zydlo says in that case convalescent plasma donations become even more important.In an effort to urge more people to donate, the American Red Cross has partnered with the National Football League to give donors a chance to go to next year's Super Bowl. Any person who comes in to donate through the month of January will be entered for the chance to win two tickets to the 2022 Super Bowl.Another prize for people who donate through January 20th is the Big Game at Home Package which includes a 65 inch TV as well as a $500 gift card to be used for food and fun to watch the game.You can find more information on the giveaways and make an appointment to donate blood&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/super_bowl.html">HERE</a>

Red Cross seeking more than just a blood donation