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Sayville chamber president hospitalized with COVID-19

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One of Sayville’s most revered and devoted citizens was hospitalized this week with COVID-19.

Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce President Eileen Tyznar, who throughout the pandemic has worked to help Sayville’s small business community adapt and survive, was at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip last night.

Battling a high fever and coping with a severe cough, chills, sharp body pains and other coronavirus symptoms, Tyznar explained to GreaterSayville.com that she was being treated with bamlanivimab, an investigative antibody treatment designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells.

President Donald Trump received a similar treatment this fall when he was hospitalized with COVID-19.

“I’m so nervous,” said Tyznar, a cancer survivor, just prior to receiving the antibody treatment. “Because my autoimmune is so low from me being a cancer survivor and because my symptoms are so bad, (doctors) feel this might help alleviate or shorten the symptoms a little bit.

Tyznar said in a Facebook post yesterday morning that she had tested positive for COVID-19. Later, just after 5 p.m., she posted this:

“Update: Thank you to all of you for all the well wishes and food. ❤️Unfortunately I’m on the way to the hospital. They want to give me the BAM treatment that the president had to lesson my symptoms, ease my breathing and lower my fever..a bit nervous. Feel awful..Fingers crossed.”

Hundreds of people from across the area in turn commented with well wishes, kind advice and prayers.

It would come as little surprise that Tyznar texted “I love Sayville,” in reaction to the outpouring of concern from the community.

Tyznar is an educational advocate and the owner of TEACH Consulting in Sayville. During the pandemic’s first surge this spring, she established the Greater Sayville Small Business Relief Fund this spring. The effort has raised more than $23,500 to help small businesses hit hard by revenue losses due to COVID-19.

Over the summer, she organized immensely popular community drive-in movie events at the Islip Grange in Sayville. And in December, she and her colleagues on the chamber successfully hosted the holiday event Mini-Miracle on Main Street.

Acknowledging Tyznar’s tireless work for the community, TD Bank honored with a hometown hero award. Tyznar was one of eight recipients across North America.

Photo above: Eileen Tyznar (middle and in red) at Sayville’s 2019 Miracle on Main Street event.

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