Jefferson NJ Coronavirus Patient Recovering After Plasma Donation

A Burlington County man is the first Jefferson Health New Jersey patient to recover from the coronavirus with the help of convalescent plasma donated by a recovered coronavirus patient, the health system announced Monday morning.

Paul Beaulieu, 65 of Maple Shade, went from feeling like he had a cold to feeling like a car was sitting on his chest before he was admitted to Jefferson Cherry Hill on May 18, health officials said.

He was suffering from pneumonia brought on by the coronavirus, and doctors soon realized his health condition made him eligible for the research study criteria.

He said he was happy to take part because it would allow him to help with the research project, and “because I want to help my fellow man, but it could also help me, too.”

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As part of a regulated research project, blood is collected at the Jefferson Blood Donation Center in Philadelphia from qualified, recovered Jefferson coronavirus patients. Doctors then separate the blood from the plasma, which is thought to contain antibodies. The research hopes to prove that the antibodies help with the recovery of coronavirus patients.

Beaulieu received the transfusion on May 21. He was discharged five days later, on May 26. The convalescent plasma was in addition to treatments by his providers.

“I’m feeling almost 100 percent better,” Beaulieu said, adding that he was very impressed with the care he received at Jefferson, from the time of admission to his discharge. “I can’t say enough about the doctors and nurses who took care of me.”

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know