620 Pandemic Pack Feature - v3 - FINAL_Pages 6 / 10 / 20 12 : 53 PM Page 9 PUSHING FORWARD C O N T I N U E S From the Front Lines sense , ” Abate says . “ People who got better WE RECOGNIZE THE LOCAL HEALTH CARE HEROES WHO HAVE developed those antibodies . It kind of GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN THE FIGHT OF THEIR LIVES . mimics what your body would do if it Y PETER PROKO B could ; attack the virus specifically . ” In the beginning stages of the pan - demic , the demand far outweighed the The word hero has taken on new meaning of late as so many from all walks of life work tirelessly supply because while many were sick , to try and combat the COVID - 19 pandemic . That is especially true when it comes to health few had recovered at that point to be able care workers , both locally and across the globe . The unprecedented nature of this crisis has to donate the plasma . As time progressed thrust them into the unknown with little guidance to rely on . And while the grim nature of the and more patients began to conquer overwhelming death toll is jarring , these dedicated individuals keep on putting up a fight . We COVID - 19 , Abate and her team devised a wanted to recognize all of the hard work they have done and continue to do as we look to strategy to contact them and facilitate in our lives . regain a sense of normalcy the enrollment process to be considered In addition to hearing first hand accounts from a few health care workers about their experiences donors . The response was immediate . thus far , we also wanted to salute the countless others who have made a noticeable impact day in “ Even people who have never been a and day out during this ongoing crisis with a special photo package . These folks are nothing short blood donor before , when we explained of amazing , and while they will tell you they are just doing their job and not looking for any the trial to them and what it can do for accolades , please join us in celebrating them . They deserve that and so much more . the patients who receive the treatment , it inspired them . … We had patients who were still in the hospital , and some still on oxygen , and they told us they want to donate . We have hundreds of micro - clots in their ha ROLE REVERSAL d a dozen patients who lungs . It is thought that similar , but larger , Dr . Troy Randle , of Virtua Cardiology , cer - referred someone else to us , ” Abate says . clots travel off course to the brain or tainly has a unique perspective on the Potential donors need to be symptom heart , resulting in a stroke or heart attack COVID - 19 pandemic . As a cardiologist , free for at least 14 days and then they are for some . Unfortunately , Randle was one he’s treated many patients suffering from screened by the Red Cross for eligibility to of those very people . the infectious disease due to the many donate . All donations are then tested for “ My story fits a larger trend , ” he says . respiratory issues that it can cause . And sufficient antibodies . At press time , Abate “ Only I am fortunate enough to survive while caregivers do their best to be com - had helped register 76 people with another and to not suffer any significant effects passionate and understanding of what 28 waiting to become asymptomatic . from the stroke . ” their patients are going through , Randle In the days following his recovery , has firsthand knowledge of exactly what Randle applied for a research grant from many of them were experiencing , because the American Heart Association in hopes he also was one of them . of participating in studies on the short - A couple months ago , Randle began and long - term heart and vascular effects experiencing several of the symptoms TOGETHER , WE WILL of COVID - 19 . He hopes that he can in most closely associated with the virus , turn help contribute to the collective including a slight cough , body aches , GET THROUGH THIS . understanding of this atypical virus . fever and a persistent headache . A positive “ COVID - 19 seems to vary greatly from test confirmed suspicions , but things were A “ RE WE SHOWING person to person — and now stroke symp - moving in the right direction and he toms are looked to be well on his way to recovery . in the mix . I encourage everyone THIS PANDEMIC Then things took an to closely monitor their health , take note unexpected turn . of their symptoms and seek medical atten - Had it not been for the quick thinking of WHO IS BOSS ONE tion when necessary . ” his wife , he may not be here to share his PATIENT AT A TIME . ” story today . “ When I was first diagnosed with . . . . . . . . . — Sami Abate , COVID - 19 , I had a strong , sudden director of clinical research , headache that continued for two days . It PROVIDING HOPE Inspira Health abated for a bit as I recovered from the Like many other health care workers , virus , but one day it came back even Sami Abate has been consumed by the worse than before , ” Randle says . “ My wife “ The donors are so enthusiastic know - COVID - 19 pandemic and how it has insisted on taking me to the emergency ing they are going to be able to help , ” impacted our lives on so many different room ; she may have saved my life . ” says Abate . “ They are so grateful they sur - levels . And now , thanks to her efforts as It turns out Randle had suffered a vived , they want to help someone else . director of clinical research with Inspira stroke ; an attack his caregivers agree was They are showing the best of human Health , she is helping recruit and connect a direct result of having contracted con - nature . ” recovered coronavirus patients with a ronavirus . A blood clot had traveled to Having been with Inspira for 21 years , Mayo Clinic trial so they may be able to the vertebral artery in his neck , which Abate is quick to credit her colleagues provide convalescent plasma and anti - caused damage to his cerebellum . Recent and leaders who have been supportive bodies to help others who are sick with studies have shown that a significant per - of research in the name of evidence - the infectious disease . centage based medicine . And she is equally “ From a medical perspective , it makes of confirmed COVID - 19 patients SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 17 issue 3 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 31