Help and support Alexander's recovery
Donation protected
This account is set up by the extended family of Alexander Zummo and his parents to help cover medical and related expenses of Alex's recent life-threatening adenovirus infection and pneumonia. 100% of the generous donations here will go toward paying current and future expenses accrued by this situation.
Alex, a University of Virginia undergrad in Charlottesville, began not feeling well in mid-May, developing a pretty nasty cough into finals week. After finals he traveled to Myrtle Beach with friends and then returned home to visit family. He progressively got worse after he headed back to Charlottesville the third week of May. Over Memorial Day weekend, on top of his cough getting significantly worse, he also developed flu-like symptoms. On Memorial Day, his mother drove to Charlottesville to be with him and took him to the first of three UVA Hospital ER visits. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, then on May 30, Alex was rushed to the ER with a high fever and difficulty breathing. The next day he was admitted to UVA Hospital MICU, and by the following day, on May 31, he was no longer able to breathe on his own and his doctors placed him on life support. Doctors were baffled and had no idea what the infection was. Test results by UVA epidemiologist Dr. Costi Sifri identified that he had the same deadly strain of adenovirus that tragically killed 11 pediatric patients in New Jersey and University of Maryland student, Olivia Shea Paregol. If you are in the Virginia/DC area and read or saw news stories about the confirmed serious case of adenovirus on the UVA campus, this is Alex. (NBC29 Charlottesville news story)
Alex was on life support for one week and during that time his team of doctors were very clear that he could (and may) die. He was administered a rarely-used antiviral drug and within 48 hours he started showing miraculous signs of recovery.
Alex is finally off of life support and can begin what will be the long and slow healing process. We are all feeling very optimistic about his recovery, but he has a long road ahead of him that will involve significant pulmonary care, rehab for atrophied muscles (including his lungs), and counseling. We are hopeful that he will be able to return to school for the fall semester.
While his parents are relieved beyond description, they are now facing enormous current and future out-of-pocket medical bills that they cannot afford. Any donation, no matter how seemingly small, will help and be appreciated, and if you are not in a position to donate, you can still help by sharing this story and fund. Thank you!
About Alex
Talk to anyone about 20-year-old Alex Zummo and you will learn about a sweet, generous, smart, funny, well-liked, musically-gifted young man. An Eagle Scout, state-level first chair violist, budding chef, and well-reviewed TA, Alex is a rising third-year at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville majoring in computer science. He’s a joy and has touched many people.
An avid musician, Alex began his musical education in the 5th grade and he played viola in the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia starting in the 7th grade. He remained a member of Bay Youth through his senior year of high school, where he earned the role of principal violist, and has gone on to play viola in the Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia. In addition to viola, he enjoys playing numerous other instruments, including guitar, piano, recorder, and harmonica.
In addition to his passion for music, Alex spent many years as a Boy Scout through the honored Eagle Scout achievement, with many weekends spent on camping and hiking trips and civic volunteering. He is the first to offer to help and always with a smile. Alex is also a born educator, and his Teaching Assistant job at UVA this past year saw glowing reviews from his students (and his little sister, who he routinely tutors in math and music).
Alex, a University of Virginia undergrad in Charlottesville, began not feeling well in mid-May, developing a pretty nasty cough into finals week. After finals he traveled to Myrtle Beach with friends and then returned home to visit family. He progressively got worse after he headed back to Charlottesville the third week of May. Over Memorial Day weekend, on top of his cough getting significantly worse, he also developed flu-like symptoms. On Memorial Day, his mother drove to Charlottesville to be with him and took him to the first of three UVA Hospital ER visits. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, then on May 30, Alex was rushed to the ER with a high fever and difficulty breathing. The next day he was admitted to UVA Hospital MICU, and by the following day, on May 31, he was no longer able to breathe on his own and his doctors placed him on life support. Doctors were baffled and had no idea what the infection was. Test results by UVA epidemiologist Dr. Costi Sifri identified that he had the same deadly strain of adenovirus that tragically killed 11 pediatric patients in New Jersey and University of Maryland student, Olivia Shea Paregol. If you are in the Virginia/DC area and read or saw news stories about the confirmed serious case of adenovirus on the UVA campus, this is Alex. (NBC29 Charlottesville news story)
Alex was on life support for one week and during that time his team of doctors were very clear that he could (and may) die. He was administered a rarely-used antiviral drug and within 48 hours he started showing miraculous signs of recovery.
Alex is finally off of life support and can begin what will be the long and slow healing process. We are all feeling very optimistic about his recovery, but he has a long road ahead of him that will involve significant pulmonary care, rehab for atrophied muscles (including his lungs), and counseling. We are hopeful that he will be able to return to school for the fall semester.
While his parents are relieved beyond description, they are now facing enormous current and future out-of-pocket medical bills that they cannot afford. Any donation, no matter how seemingly small, will help and be appreciated, and if you are not in a position to donate, you can still help by sharing this story and fund. Thank you!
About Alex
Talk to anyone about 20-year-old Alex Zummo and you will learn about a sweet, generous, smart, funny, well-liked, musically-gifted young man. An Eagle Scout, state-level first chair violist, budding chef, and well-reviewed TA, Alex is a rising third-year at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville majoring in computer science. He’s a joy and has touched many people.
An avid musician, Alex began his musical education in the 5th grade and he played viola in the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia starting in the 7th grade. He remained a member of Bay Youth through his senior year of high school, where he earned the role of principal violist, and has gone on to play viola in the Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia. In addition to viola, he enjoys playing numerous other instruments, including guitar, piano, recorder, and harmonica.
In addition to his passion for music, Alex spent many years as a Boy Scout through the honored Eagle Scout achievement, with many weekends spent on camping and hiking trips and civic volunteering. He is the first to offer to help and always with a smile. Alex is also a born educator, and his Teaching Assistant job at UVA this past year saw glowing reviews from his students (and his little sister, who he routinely tutors in math and music).
Organizer and beneficiary
Lynn Zummo
Organizer
Chesapeake, VA
Fred Zummo
Beneficiary
