LOST actor Daniel Dae Kim donates plasma after recovering from COVID-19

VENTURA, Calif. - Daniel Dae Kim, an actor known for his roles on popular network television series like Lost, Hawaii Five-0 and The Good Doctor made an important donation earlier this week.

Kim, who plays a doctor on both New Amsterdam and the aforementioned The Good Doctor, switched out of his scrubs to donate convalescent plasma to help in the fight against the coronavirus. He made the donation at a Vitalant blood donation center in Ventura.

Kim tested positive for the coronavirus back in March but has since made a full recovery. Now the hope is that his plasma contains active antibodies that could help others who are fighting the deadly disease.

“I learned about the Mayo Clinic being named the national program for this effort and I wanted to do my part to help those who are still battling the illness,” said Kim in a press release issued by Vitalant. “I hope those who can will consider joining me to help other Americans in need—either through the Mayo Clinic, Red Cross or their local blood donation center.”

Vitalant is collaborating with the Mayo Clinic and the Red Cross to treat COVID-19 patients with the convalescent plasma. The treatments are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and it is the only antibody treatment currently available.

View this post on Instagram

Me and my plasma🩸 Glad to be able to donate in the hopes that the antibodies I’ve built up will help others in their fight against #Covid19. If you were sick, but have tested negative and 14 days have passed since you last exhibited symptoms, or you tested positive but have been symptom-free for 28 days, I hope you’ll please consider making a #plasmadonation as well. For more information, contact the @mayoclinic, @americanredcross or your local blood donation center, like @vitalantorg. More details to come!

A post shared by Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) on Apr 23, 2020 at 12:58pm PDT

“This disease is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” said Kim. “Now that I’ve recovered, my plasma may contain antibodies that will help people who are fighting COVID-19 right now. I’m glad I’m able to help those who are still fighting their own battles.”

Researchers are working to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus, but approval of a vaccine is expected to take months. For now, a plasma transfusion could be a promising stopgap treatment to help those who are battling the disease.

“A convalescent plasma transfusion holds the additional promise of helping a critically ill COVID-19 patient turn the corner and head toward a positive outcome,” said Vitalant's chief of marketing Cliff Numark.

You don't have to be a celebrity to donate your plasma to help with the fight against COVID0-19. If you have recovered from COVID-19 and are interested in donating, contact Vitalant to see how you can help. You must be symptom free for at least 14 days and meet FDA donor eligibility requirements to donate plasma. In some instances, additional tests may be required.