New Jersey Family That Lost 5 to Virus Helping Find Cure

The New Jersey family that lost five people to COVID-19 are doing their part to help researchers find a cure, reports The New York Times.

Johns Hopkins University, whose COVID-19 tracking map has become a definitive source of information about confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and related deaths around the world, is evaluating the DNA of the surviving and deceased members of the Fusco family.

Elizabeth Fusco, 42, is donating convalescent plasma rich with virus-fighting antibodies.

"We know another wave is going to come," Elizabeth told the Times. "It's inevitable. Whatever will help this world is all I care about."

Nineteen members of the Fusco family were sickened with COVID-19. In March, the tight-knit Italian American family lost Rita Fusco-Jackson, 56, her mother, Grace Fusco, 73, and two other offspring — Carmine Fusco, 55, and Vincent Fusco Jr., 53. Grace Fusco's sister died weeks later.

Joe Fusco, 49, spent a month on a ventilator after contracting the virus. He told the Times others need to follow state guidelines.

"This ain't over," Fusco told the Times. "This ain't over in the least bit."

"I want to help somebody," he added. "I don't want anyone else to have to lose five family members."

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