WEBVTT

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- Over the last few months our country

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and countries around the world

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have faced unprecedented times

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and this global pandemic
has affected each of us.

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- Defeating COVID-19 is an ongoing effort

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and will take all of us working together.

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The Air Force Medical Service is committed

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to bringing all we have
to fight this virus.

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A promising treatment
for COVID-19 is called,

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Convalescent Plasma Therapy.

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- Early research shows
plasma from individuals

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who have recovered from a COVID infection

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contains antibodies that can help patients

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with severe COVID illness.

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Early results in
Convalescent Plasma Therapy

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has shown great promise.

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The Air Force has already had
success with this treatment.

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- In fact, the first patient
to receive convalescent plasma

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in the Air Force occurred
in the intensive care unit

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at Keesler Air Force Base
in April of this year.

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This patient received plasma

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from the Armed Services Blood Program

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and was treated using
the Mayo Clinic protocol.

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I'm happy to report this
patient fully recovered

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and has been discharged to home.

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- The Air Force is participating

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in a department wide effort
to further investigate

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the benefits of convalescent blood plasma.

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We plan to collect more
than 8,000 units of plasma

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from individuals who have
recovered from COVID-19.

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This is a big job and we need your help.

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- Military or family members may donate

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if they have a prior diagnosis of COVID-19

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but are now symptom free, fully recovered

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and meet other eligibility requirements.

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Donations will be accepted
at 15 Armed Forces

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blood program facilities in the US,

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as well as centers in
Hawaii, Guam and Germany.

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- The process of donating
is similar to routine plasma

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donation and takes just slightly longer

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than a blood donation.

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We are counting on you to spread the word

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about this vital program
by telling your friends,

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family and others in
our Air Force community

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about the need for donors.

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- Please join the Air
Force Medical Service

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and the military health
system in this effort

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to defeat COVID-19 and help set our nation

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and our world on a path to recovery.