Blood taken from people who have survived Ebola infections may be the first line of specific treatment for victims of the Ebola epidemic (Source World Health Organization - WHO).  This blood contains natural antibodies that can help provide a boost to the immune system of the infected person.  This considerably enhances the infected person's chance of survival.  This is a game changer!

In order to help address the Ebola epidemic, in partnership with another qualified organization, provided we can obtain adequate funding, we are planning to implement the use of Convalescent Serum Therapy.  In this therapy, infected patients are treated using serum from the blood of people who have recovered from an Ebola infection.  As of August 15th, 2014, The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering using this therapy as explained in this article.The article explains that this is an attractive option for a number of reasons.

Access to this alternative will considerably encourage health workers - as they will know that there is a local treatment option available.  This will boost their morale.

We will be putting best practices / procedures in place to support treatment and recovery.   This will involve establishing a safe and sterile environment for all patients.  Careful research and consultation is being done with key specialists and medical experts in the USA.  We are formulating a systems approach to deployment of the Apheresis machine and anticipating needs that may arise.  This includes developing protocol and equipment management plans.  We plan to exercise due diligence to minimize risks related with the treatment.

We anticipate that this carefully planned and definitive treatment will change Ebola patient outcomes.  This strategic response will empower the efforts of Sierra Leonean doctors - who are eager to arrive at an effective solution.  This therapy will prevent hundreds and thousands of unnecessary deaths.  

Additional article on Convalescent Serum Therapy

The following articles confirm that this is a viable option – very much worth pursuing immediately:

1. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/ebola-outbreak-survivor-william-pooley-flown-to-us-to-give-doctor-with-virus-emergency-blood-transfusion-9737888.html
    
2. http://www.medaxs.com.au/mdxgridfeed/post/1/18286
    
3. http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/09/mass_doc_gets_ebola_survivor_s_blood
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4. ​http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/10/05/353778884/hope-for-ebola-treatment-found-in-survivors
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5. ​http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/health/2014/10/13/ebola-tcu-christian-student-dallas-nurse/17192239/

   
Direct quote from the planned implementing Doctor in Sierra Leone: "This Apheresis machine will be a game changer in our effort to improve the survival outcomes of the Ebola infected patients."

  
To implement this, we need to purchase and ship an FDA approved machine.  We estimate that it will cost around 80,000 to start using this machine - in as soon as 4-6 weeks after we receive funding.

One of the systems we are considering using is the Spectra Optia Apheresis System.  This is a centrifugal system that separates whole blood into its cellular and plasma components. You can read more about the machine here

Please help us making this a reality by making a donation today.  Your donation could make the difference between life and death for hundreds of patients!