A former Toowoomba magistrate who was hospitalised with COVID-19 in April is donating plasma to help in the fight against the virus.
For the first time, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has started collecting convalescent plasma, the liquid part of the blood containing antibodies, as part of clinical trials to combat coronavirus.
Alan Yorkston, 71, who was travelling in Vietnam when he contracted the virus, is among the first to be involved.
After Mr Yorkston returned home he developed a temperature, began struggling to breath and was hospitalised for more than a week.
"I did have a couple of bad days, which I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy," Mr Yorkston said.
"You're lying there, your mind's very active and your body just wouldn't respond.
"It's simply very boring — no newspapers, no books, no TV, no radio, nothing, because I was in isolation.
"The staff were tremendous, they really went over and above to look after us."
Two people in Toowoomba died of the illness.
Veteran donor jumps at chance to help others
Mr Yorkston had already given more than 250 blood and plasma donations.
When he heard of the Red Cross's Lifeblood COVID-19 trials he promptly made an appointment.
"The plasma we collect will be used to treat patients in clinical trials, both as a form of direct treatment and as a medication called COVID-19 Immunoglobulin, which may provide passive immunity against coronavirus infections," Lifeblood chief executive Shelly Park said
The Red Cross is working with state and Federal governments as well as CSL Behring Australia, a long-time medical research laboratory.
"We're very proud to be part of this initiative," Ms Park said.
"This work may ultimately help treat patients suffering from this terrible disease and I would urge anyone who has recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 who thinks they may be eligible to donate blood to contact us."
