Children's Wisconsin doctor donates plasma to help COVID-19 patients after recovering from the virus

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A doctor at Children's Wisconsin is trying to help COVID-19 patients after fighting off the virus himself.

"Fortunately, I had very mild symptoms and recovered quickly, and while I was in quarantine, I was trying to think of ways I could help," said Children's Wisconsin Dr. Dave Lal.

Dr. Lal found a way to help. 

On Monday, he donated plasma at Versiti Blood Center in Milwaukee. 

This is a new program they're launching. It aims to help COVID-19 patients by using recovered patients' plasma.

"Giving a patient someone else's antibodies that were helpful in allowing the donor to get over the infection to hopefully allow the patient, who's having a more rough time, to get over the infection as well," said Thomas Abshire of Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin. "You know, it's a natural extension of what we do every day as health care providers, is think of ways and find ways to help others, so that's what I'm trying to do, give back to the community and help."

Dr. Lal says it's important for people who have not had COVID-19 to donate blood and plasma as well, to help patients who face other life threatening conditions.