Faith had a hand in woman’s recovery

When Daisy Marquina of Vacaville contracted COVID-19 in April, she said her faith helped her overcome it.

So it fits that, upon her recovery, her faith has led her to help further research into the condition.

“We’re doing our part by donating blood plasma,” said Marquina, of members of the South Korea-based Shincheonji Church of Jesus. “It’ll go into finding a treatment for the virus.”

The University of California, Fullerton senior said she fell ill in late April and continued to have symptoms through the first week of May. She had difficulty breathing, was overcome with chills and slept a lot.

Within six days, she was admitted to a hospital as she couldn’t breathe on her own, had a high fever and, because of a pre-diabetic condition, developed pneumonia.

After a week in the hospital she finally broke her fever and was allowed to go home. Though glad to leave, her mobility was an issue.

“I really depended on God,” she emphasized. “I tried to stay positive.”

The shelter at home order didn’t help her recovery.

“It’s just so hard,” Marquina reflected. “We’re all alone, we have to deal with everything alone.”

But she pulled through with no lasting repercussions to her health, she advised. She’s breathing well, and up and about and refocusing on her Political Science studies.

Soon, she learned that her congregation was donating blood plasma in an attempt to find a cure to COVID-19. So she contacted the local branch of the American Red Cross and signed up, too.

“It’s very motivating,” she said.

Anyone interested in donating can go online to the American Red Cross, she said, describing the online process as quick and easy.

For more information, visit www.redcross.org.