Family Seeks Plasma Treatment For Cherry Hill Coronavirus Patient

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The family of a Cherry Hill man who is being treated for coronavirus is hoping an experimental treatment is the answer to saving his life.

Brett Breslow is being treated for coronavirus at Cooper University Hospital, a spokesperson confirmed. As of Tuesday, Breslow was in critical condition and on a ventilator and dialysis, according to nj.com.

Breslow is a veteran of the United States Navy and had no underlying medical conditions, according to Fox 29. He was hospitalized on March 20, and his condition has deteriorated since.

His family has desperately been seeking help for him. They are looking into an investigational treatment that uses plasma from people who have recovered from coronavirus to help Breslow, according to Cooper Spokesperson Wendy Marano.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

The potential treatment his family is seeking for him is based on the theory that plasma from patients who recovered from the virus has antibodies that can be used to fight the infection, according to the American Red Cross.

“This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as treatment for patients seriously ill with COVID-19,” the Red Cross says on its website. “The Red Cross is establishing a program to work with clinicians on providing such convalescent plasma, as needed.”

It hasn’t been approved for routine use, and is not a procedure Cooper routinely uses, Marano said.It is only being explored to treat Breslow, Marano said.

Anyone interested in making a donation can visit the American Red Cross’s website. The treatment is only for containing the virus, and not for preventing the infection.

Plasma can only be collected from individuals who recovered who are able to donate blood, according to the American Red Cross. Further guidelines can be found at fda.gov.

As of now, his family is unable to go see him at the hospital because of the restrictions currently in place due to coronavirus, Marano said. Amy Breslow told CBS 3 the last time she spoke to him was shortly after she dropped him off at the hospital. He texted her to say that he was being taken in to be treated, and they haven’t been in communication since.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know