DHA leaders recognize CCP collection campaign contributors & donors

The Honorable David L. Norquist, Deputy Secretary of Defense; the Honorable Thomas P. McCaffery, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; and Lieutenant General Ronald J. Place, MC, USA Director, Defense Health Agency toured the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) Apheresis Center. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kurtis A. Hatcher/Released)

The immune system of a COVID-19-positive patient creates infection-fighting antibodies contained in their plasma, or the liquid part of their blood. By donating blood, a patient who recovers fully can provide CCP rich in antibodies that can subsequently be transfused into a sick patient who is still fighting the virus to boost their immune system and help them recover.

“Today we gather to acknowledge your selfless act of volunteerism to collect or donate COVID convalescent plasma,” said Norquist. “Thanks to the hard work of the Defense Health Agency to synchronize this worldwide campaign, 160 patients within the Military Health System have received 250 units of plasma. That is 160 lives that you have affected.”

In his closing remarks, Place also congratulated the recipients for their contributions and highlighted that it was a team effort.

“Like every aspect of military medicine, the DHA and the Armed Service Blood Program draw from the expertise of the Army, Navy and Air Force leaders,” he said. “This was a shared success of everyone in military medicine.”

This success reflects the strength of that teamwork, according to Place.

“In my opinion, that’s the best kind of outcome for our health system,” he said. “The reforms to military medicine that Secretary Norquist and Secretary McCaffery are leading remain inspired by the belief that a well-integrated organization across functions, across military departments, and unified in its strategic execution, both internally and with our partners in civilian medicine, strengthens the health and readiness of our force.”

The DoD’s primary goals against the pandemic are to protect its people, maintain readiness, and support the national COVID-19 response. In addition to aiding in the development of new therapeutic treatments for COVID-19-positive patients in DoD facilities, CCP contributes to the overall efforts to combat the disease, thus helping accomplish each of those goals.

“On behalf of the healthcare team, I ask that every donor accept our thanks for their sacrifice — of blood, of plasma, of time, and even a little bit of pain — in order to help someone else,” concluded Place.

Even though the goal has been reached, DoD’s CCP collection effort is ongoing and recovered patients are encouraged to continue donating.