True fighter: 101-year-old woman survives Spanish flu, cancer, and now coronavirus

The woman has been hailed as 'superhuman' by her family.

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By Web Report

Published: Wed 29 Apr 2020, 3:08 PM

Last updated: Wed 29 Apr 2020, 5:16 PM

A 101-year-old New York woman has been hailed as 'superhuman' by her family for surviving the Spanish flu in 1918, beating cancer, sepsis and now Covid-19.  
Angelina Friedman was diagnosed with coronavirus when she was taken to hospital on March 21 for a minor medical procedure. She had on and off fevers but never had respiratory symptoms. After spending a week at hospital, Friedman finally tested negative for the virus on April 20.
Friedman lives at the North Westchester Restorative Therapy and nursing Center in Lake Mohegan in New York. She was born aboard a passenger ship bringing immigrants from Italy to New York City during the second wave of the Spanish flu. 
"Her mother died giving birth on the ship, and she was taken care of by her two sisters, who were also on board," Friedman's daughter, Joanne Merola, said to Pix11, Daily Mail reported. Later, Friedman and her two sisters reunited with their father in Brooklyn, where she was raised.
The centenarian has outlived her husband, Harold Friedman, and 10 siblings. Marries Harold Friedman, and the two started a family. "She and my dad had cancer at the same time. She survived. He didn't," Merola said.
She added, "Everybody in the family lived until at least 95, except one uncle. My mother is a survivor. She is not human. She has superhuman DNA." Merola said she has not been able to visit her mother since February and cannot talk over the phone as she is nearly deaf.
While Friedman's nursing home shared a photo of her on April 24 and wrote: 'Lets hear it for Angelina our 101 year old resident who beat Covid-19 & is doing great!!!!!'

Merola said, "They (nursing home) tell me she's doing great. She's up and about as much as possible. She's looking for wool to crochet with. If my mother could see this I'd tell her, 'You keep going, Ma. You're gonna outlive us all'."

Web Report

Published: Wed 29 Apr 2020, 3:08 PM

Last updated: Wed 29 Apr 2020, 5:16 PM

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