Colorado Springs COVID-19 survivor meets plasma donors

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Paul Nielsen was in hospitalized at UCHealth Memorial North with COVID-19 in May 2020 and was almost put in a ventilator. Thankfully, he received convalescent plasma from another COVID-19 survivor, which helped him on the road to his recovery.

It's now coming full circle for Nielsen after meeting two of the donors who helped him recover from the virus.

But Nielsen has also paid it forward; months after his recovery, he donated his own plasma. Vitalant makes sure to tests all donations for COVID-19 antibodies and tells donors of their results.

Convalescent plasma is blood taken from people who have recovered from COVID-19. This type of plasma contains antibodies that can recognize and annul SARS-CoV-2, known as the virus that causes COVID-19.

Watch at 4 p.m. to see how Nielsen recovered from the virus using convalescent plasma.