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Tom Hanks' Blood Being Used to Develop COVID-19 Vaccine
Actors Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have both been approved to donate blood as part of an effort to find a vaccine for coronavirus aka COVID-19. The couple had been among some of the earliest high-profile celebrities to test positive for the virus back in early March during the filming of an as-yet-untitled Elvis Presley biopic in Australia. Both had immediately gone into isolation while recovering, keeping their fans updated regularly via social media of their progress and experience. After several weeks of quarantine, they were cleared to return home to Los Angeles to continue their recovery.
With the coronavirus continuing to spread and countries practicing social distancing and lockdowns, researchers around the world are continuing to race to find a vaccine. One of the pre-requisites continues to be improving the antibody detection tests and then identifying individuals who have recovered from the virus and have an antibody count high enough to be useful for study and testing. After Hanks and Wilson's return, they submitted to be tested for the antibodies to see if they could help contribute.
During an interview with NPR, Hanks revealed their samples had been found to have the antibodies and were approved to donate blood to organizations that are currently working on finding a vaccine. They're not just waiting for the scientists to come to them, they're also reaching out proactively as well, saying, "We have not only been approached, we have said, ‘Do you want our blood? Can we give plasma?" Should the scientists develop a cure from their blood, the ever-helpful Hanks added that he already has a name to suggest for the would-be cure, "Hank-ccine."
The couple, both aged 63, are just shy of the highest age-risk group, which is currently set at age 65. They were also fortunate not to have suffered the worst of the complications, but it still was serious, especially for Wilson. Hanks noted, "Rita went through a tougher time than I did. She had a much higher fever. She had lost her sense of taste and sense of smell." Now that they have also recovered, Hanks has found himself busy once again, recently hosting the return of Saturday Night Live with an "At Home Edition."
Both Hanks and Wilson have films ready for release that have been sidelined by the ongoing pandemic. Wilson's drama Love Is Love Is Love had been slated to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, but that's no longer in the cards. Meanwhile, Hanks' WWII film, Greyhound, had been ready for release in March but was first pushed to June before being taken off of the release slate entirely until studios work out a new theatrical release model. Or until audiences are safe to venture out to the box office once again, perhaps thanks to a Hankccine.
