Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson to donate blood for coronavirus research

LOS ANGELES: Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson have volunteered to donate their blood and plasma for coronavirus research after recovering from the disease.

Hanks, 63, said that his blood will be used to help develop a vaccine, adding that he has recently learned that they had antibodies from their battle with the virus that both were diagnosed last month while Hanks was shooting a movie in Australia.

“We just found out that we do carry the antibodies,” Hanks revealed in a podcast by adding that they have not only been approached for studies but that they have volunteered to donate their blood and plasma.

“Can we give plasma? And, in fact, we will be giving it now to the places that hope to work on what I would like to call the Hank-ccine,” the actor said. The actor was indicating at the antibodies developed by individuals that have successfully fought off the virus.

Last week, Rita Wilson during an interview gave details about their coronavirus’ recovery. She shared, “I was very tired. I felt extremely achy, uncomfortable, and I did not want to be touched and then the fever started. Looking back, I also realized that I was losing my sense of taste and smell,” she revealed.

She added that her fever also at one point had gotten close to 102 and that around day nine, she was given chloroquine. “I can only tell you that I do not know if the drug worked or it was just time for the fever to break,” she said. “But, my fever did break.”