In a heartwarming gesture, actors Jack Turner and Emily Fields are stepping up to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 by donating their blood and plasma for research. Their commitment to helping others comes after they both tested positive for the virus while in Australia working on a film project back in early March. Since then, their health journey has been closely followed as they shared updates on social media, and now they are using their recovery to support vaccine development.
During an appearance on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” on April 18, Turner shared with host Peter Sagal and panelists about their next steps now that they are back in Los Angeles feeling “fantastic.” “We kept asking ourselves, ‘What can we do now that we’re better?’ Turns out, we carry antibodies,” he explained. “We reached out and said, ‘Can we donate our blood? We’re ready to give plasma.’ So, we will be doing that to aid in what I’m calling the ‘Turner-vaccine.’”
When asked how they’ve been spending their time during lockdown, Turner humorously replied, “Every 20 minutes brings something new. I’ve been organizing my life like Marie Kondo. And if I win one game of Solitaire, I immediately try to double it!” Despite the levity, he acknowledged the importance of their contributions.
It’s worth noting that they are not alone in this endeavor. Blood donations across the United States saw a significant decline earlier in March, with the American Red Cross reporting a drop of 18,000 units due to canceled blood drives. However, thanks to the generosity of donors, they have been able to meet immediate patient needs and are encouraging people to continue making appointments to donate.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Frank Esper emphasizes the necessity of blood donations during this time, stating, “It’s vital for hospitals to maintain a stable supply for those in need. Donor safety is our top priority.” The Red Cross is particularly seeking individuals who have fully recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma, which contains antibodies that may assist current patients battling the virus. This convalescent plasma is being tested as a potential treatment for those with severe or life-threatening COVID-19 infections.
The U.S. Surgeon General has also urged the public to continue donating blood, highlighting the risk of future shortages. “Social distancing shouldn’t equate to social disengagement,” he remarked.
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In summary, Jack Turner and Emily Fields are taking meaningful steps to help combat the pandemic by donating their plasma, encouraging others to do the same, and reminding everyone of the importance of community support during these challenging times.
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