Iza Calzado gets emotional as she donates blood plasma for coronavirus patients

MANILA, Philippines – It was an emotional moment for Iza Calzado when she donated her blood to help COVID-19 patients.

The actress tested positive for the coronavirus in March after being hospitalized for pneumonia. She has since recovered, and on June 12 was able to donate her blood plasma to the Philippine General Hospital ((PGH).

PGH is among the hospitals that administer convalescent plasma therapy, a treatment where convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors is transfused to infected patients to help boost their immune systems.

In an Instagram post, Iza said it was “an emotional moment” when she was able to donate her blood after initially failing to become an eligible donor due to low hemoglobin levels.

“As a COVID-19 survivor, I truly felt that this was one of the most powerful ways I could help my fellow Filipinos during this time,” she said.

View this post on Instagram

June 12 has always been a special day because it is my Mother’s birthday and the independence day of my Motherland. This year, it became even more meaningful. After failing several tests to be an eligible plasma donor for Covid-19, because of low hemoglobin levels, I was cleared to donate last Tuesday. I never knew that giving my blood would be such an emotional moment for me. Perhaps it’s because, as a Covid-19 Survivor, I truly felt that this was one of the most powerful ways I could help my fellow Filipinos during this time. As the doctor played “Bayan Ko” my tears and my blood flowed. It gave me so much hope to think that maybe I could help restore someone’s health and that, through our collective efforts, we can restore our country’s well being and make it better. Love and Light!

A post shared by Iza Calzado Wintle (@missizacalzado) on Jun 12, 2020 at 4:32am PDT

She shared that the doctor played the patriotic song “Bayan Ko” as she donated blood.

“It gave me so much hope to think that maybe I could help restore someone’s health and that, through our collective efforts, we can restore our country’s well being and make it better,” she said. – Rappler.com