Our Friday, May 1st Hometown Hero is Dr. Firas Badin of Lexington. Dr. Badin, Medical Director for Oncology Research with Baptist Health Lexington, has been working on a first of its kind partnership with the Kentucky Blood Center to use plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Badin obtained FDA approval and, along with the Kentucky Blood Center, quickly set up the program and began treating multiple critically ill patients.
The treatment involves collecting plasma from recovered patients in a procedure similar to donating whole blood. Plasma from the recovered patient contains antibodies made by the immune system that are used to kill the COVID-19 virus. The hope is the transfused plasma might help the severely ill patients fight the virus. Dr. Badin is also working with the Mayo Clinic Research to have more access to use plasma for the severely ill patients.
Dr. Badin has been with Baptist Health for 9 years. He and his wife have 3 children, with a 4th to arrive in June.
If you would like to find out more information about donating plasma to help other Kentuckians, please call 859-260-6440 or contact the Kentucky Blood Center.
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