NEW YORK Tiffany Pinckney remembers the fear when COVID-19 stole her breath. So when she recovered, the New York City mother became one of the country's first survivors to donate her blood to help treat other seriously ill patients.

"It is definitely overwhelming to know that in my blood, there may be answers," Pinckney told The Associated Press.

Doctors around the world are dusting off a century-old treatment for infections: Infusions of blood plasma teeming with immune molecules that helped survivors beat the new coronavirus. There's no proof it will work. But former patients in Houston and New York were early donors, and now hospitals and blood centers are getting ready for potentially hundreds of survivors to follow.

"There's a tremendous call to action," said Dr. David Reich, president of New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, which declared Pinckney recovered and raced to collect her blood. "People feel very helpless in the face of this disease. And this is one thing that people can do to help their fellow human beings."

As treatments get underway, "we just hope it works," he said.

In this March 26, 2020 photo provided by Tiffany Pinckney, she donates blood for a study at a hospital in New York after recovering from COVID-19. It is definitely overwhelming to know that in my blood, there may be answers, said Pinckney, 39.

What the history books call "convalescent serum" was most famously used during the 1918 flu pandemic, and also against measles, bacterial pneumonia and numerous other infections before modern medicine came along. Why? When infection strikes, the body starts making proteins called antibodies specially designed to target that germ. Those antibodies float in survivors' blood specifically plasma, the yellowish liquid part of blood for months, even years.

When new diseases erupt and scientists are scrambling for vaccines or drugs, it's "a stopgap measure that we can put into place quickly," said Dr. Jeffrey Henderson of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, who is helping to develop a nationwide study.

This "is not a cure per se, but rather it is a way to reduce the severity of illness," Henderson said.

Doctors don't know how long survivors' antibodies against COVID-19 will persist.

But for now, "they're the safest ones on the street," said Dr. Rebecca Haley of Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle,which is working to identify donors. "We would not be making a dent in their antibody supply for themselves."

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration told hospitals how to seek case-by-case emergency permission to use convalescent plasma, and Houston Methodist Hospital and Mount Sinai jumped at the chance.

And a desperate public responded, with families taking to social media to plead on behalf of sick loved ones and people recovering asking how they could donate. According to Michigan State University, more than 1,000 people signed up with the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project alone. Dozens of hospitals formed that group to spur plasma donation and research.

Would-be donors can't just show up at a blood center. Those with a proven infection who've been symptom-free for several weeks must get tested to ensure the virus is gone. They also must be healthy enough to meet the other requirements for blood donation plus get an additional test to see if their antibody level is high enough.

"You don't want to take plasma from someone who had a mediocre immune response. That wouldn't be helpful," said Dr. Julie Ledgerwood of the National Institutes of Health.

Chinese doctors last week reported that five patients given convalescent plasma all showed some improvement about a week later. But they also received other therapies, and without a rigorous study, there's no way to know if the plasma made the difference.

Studies are being planned to test convalescent plasma against regular care in sick patients, and to prevent infections among people at high risk of exposure such as health care workers.

Another approach: Spain-based plasma manufacturer Grifols aims to concentrate donor plasma in a North Carolina factory, creating a high-dose version that also would need testing.

Separately, NIH researchers are measuring survivors' antibody levels to learn how strong the vaccines under development must be to protect. Other teams, including at Beijing's Tsinghua University, are hunting which antibodies are most potent, to copy in a lab and turn into drugs.

Tiffany Pinckney poses for a portrait in the Harlem neighborhood of New York on April 1, 2020. After a period of quarantine at home separated from her children, she has recovered from COVID-19. (AP Photo/Marshall Ritzell)

But donations from people like Pinckney could be used as fast as blood centers can process it. She got sick the first week of March. First came the fever and chills. She couldn't catch her breath, and deep breathing caused chest pains. The single mother worried about her sons, 9 and 16.

"I remember being on my bathroom floor crying and praying," the 39-year-old said.

So when Mount Sinai, which diagnosed her, called Pinckney to check on her recovery and ask if she'd consider donating, she didn't hesitate.

"It's humbling. And for me, it's also a beacon of hope for someone else," she said.

Medical personnel clap and sign I love you as they look out a window at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Thursday. Motorists were parked outside with their headlights and hazards lights on and honked their horns to thank medical personnel for their work. The Headlights for Hope event is to show support to the medical staff and patients at hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Liz Hall prays during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Savannah Nelson, 10, looks out a sunroof during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Ryan Miller waves to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Chelsey Holloway holds a sign and cries during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. Holloway works at the hospital as OR nurse manager, but is on leave. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Bavette and Ryan Miller wave to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Live Hall,7, waves to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Motorists wave to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Liz Hall(left), Live Hall,7, and Mila Hall,3, wave to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Noelle Shaw signs to medical personnel through a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Noelle Shaw, who organized the event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, cries as she watches medical personnel look out the window Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Noelle Shaw, who organized the event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, cries as she walks away from the hospital after thanking medical personnel through the window on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday. Cars crowded into the parking lot, turned on headlights, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work during the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Supporters cheer for medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel acknowledge supporters as they leave work during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Registered nurse Summer Jones wipes a tear away as she sees supporters cheer during an event called Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Summer Jones, a registered nurse, wipes away a tear as supporters cheer during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday. Motorists crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazard lights on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel acknowledge supporters as they leave work during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel watch supporters cheer during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Nurse Summer Jones, RN cries as she sees supporters cheer during an event called Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel watch supporters cheer during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Savannah Nelson,10, cheers and holds a sign to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Megan Losoncy holds a sign to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Supporters cheer medical personnel for their work during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Savannah Nelson, 10, cheers and holds a sign to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel acknowledge supporters as they look out the window of an upper floor at Ascension St. John Owasso during Headlights for Hope Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Judi and Johnny Gray wave flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Live Hall,7, stands up outside of the sunroof to get a better look and to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Misty Hayden(left) and her daughter Lexi Hayden,13, cheer to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Neergaard reported from Washington. AP National Writer Allen G. Breed in North Carolina contributed to this report.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Coronavirus survivors donating blood to help treat patients with COVID-19: 'We just hope it works,' doctor says - Tulsa World