Cedarville Magazine Spring 2020

COVID-19 PLASMA DONORS As a police officer, firefighter, and emergency medical technician, Steve Norris ’01, M.Min. ’20 may seem like an expected hero. But Norris’ act of selflessness was something no one could have seen coming, and when he became ill with COVID-19, he had no clue that he would be able to bless someone else because of it. Norris came down with the novel coronavirus in March. He tested positive for COVID-19 at the University of Dayton. He self-quarantined and recovered. Then he heard about an area cardiologist who became critically ill with the coronavirus and learned the plasma from recovered patients may help him. Norris had given plasma only once before, but this need was immediate, and he was one of only a handful of people who might be able to help. “I knew there had not been that many confirmed COVID-19 cases in the (Miami Valley) area,” said Norris. “I realized the pool of donors was probably not very large.” Norris admitted he’s no fan of needles. “But how do you not donate when you know how much it might help someone?” he said. “I spend all day helping people; this just made sense. It would have been the supreme act of selfishness not to give.” Norris called the Community Blood Center (CBC) in Dayton about donating his plasma. When he arrived on the morning of April 14, he was met by Mark Pompilio, the CBC’s marketing and public relations manager. The CBC and Miami Valley Hospital had just officially launched a program April 10 to collect coronavirus convalescent plasma (CCP), and he was one of the first donors. “God does all things for our good and the good of others,” Norris said. “I became sick with COVID-19 and came out the other side. Now I could be used to help someone else. I am grateful for this.” In September, former Yellow Jackets men’s basketball forward Adam Clouse ’10 also became a CCP donor. Clouse began donating blood while he was a student. His CCP donation marked his 24th overall to the CBC. He gave again in October, marking his 25th overall donation. “I know there’s always a need,” said Clouse. “As soon as I found out they were specifically looking for those who had tested positive, it was a no-doubter. I was absolutely coming to do it. I’m happy to do it.” PHARMACY STUDENTS CONTACT TRACING In October, Cedarville University School of Pharmacy students began helping with COVID-19 contact tracing in Greene County, where the University is located. The students are collaborating with students from Wright State University School of Medicine and its Master of Public Health program and the Greene County Public Health team to notify and provide medical insight to Miami Valley residents who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. To participate in the contact tracing project, students completed more than 10 hours of training to prepare for this service opportunity. Cedarville's students were then placed in teams. Each student will volunteer a minimum of five hours a week to call individuals in self-quarantine. They will continue contact tracing into December and 2021, as long as there’s a need. “This has been a way for our students to follow the Lord performing a crucial service for the community during this pandemic,” said Thad Franz, vice chair of experiential programs and associate professor of pharmacy practice. “We are proud of their efforts to help limit the spread of COVID-19." I became sick with COVID-19 and came out the other side. Now I could be used to help someone else. Steve Norris ’01, M.Min. ’20 Cedarville Magazine | 21