Sacred Heart University student athletes donated their convalescent plasma Sunday, which may have COVID-19 antibodies, to help others in the hospital with the virus.
The athletes say having COVID-19 set them back weeks from getting into top shape, and nearly 20 of them donated plasma.
Students had to show proof of a positive COVID-19 test and be symptom-free for 14 days.
Freshman Natalie Marques, who is on the equestrian team, says this is her first blood donation. She donated 400 mL of plasma.
Marques says it was a moment of paying it forward months after her own battle with the virus.
Sacred Heart University's athletics department says it plans on hosting another plasma drive in the future.
The FDA says giving convalescent plasma to hospitalized people currently fighting COVID-19 may help them recover.
If you never had COVID-19, it still highly encourages everyone to donate blood as it could save up to three lives.