With Help from Family and St. Joe’s – COVID Plasma Patient Goes Home

St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor patient Richard Beckerson was discharged home this week after a long, but successful healing journey. Back in April, Mr. Beckerson became one of the first COVID-19 patients in Michigan to receive an experimental treatment using plasma from a person who had recovered from COVID-19 in an effort to treat the virus.

With his family’s support, Mr. Beckerson was enrolled into an innovative convalescent plasma program started by The Mayo Clinic with participation from St. Joe’s and hospitals throughout the country.

After four months in the hospital, Mr. Beckerson was met with a celebration from the staff while being discharged home. Hospital colleagues applauded as he walked out of the hospital with the aid of a walker. Watch Mr. Beckerson’s triumphant discharge from the hospital.

Mr. Beckerson first arrived to the St. Joe’s Emergency Department on March 29 while experiencing respiratory distress. During his hospitalization, St. Joe’s physicians, nurses, therapists and other support staff worked tirelessly on his behalf as he fought to survive and then rehabilitate himself.

If you have recovered from COVID and would like find out how to donate plasma to help others, click here.