Community Corner

Fort Bend County Deputy Fights Killer Flu Bug To Stay Alive

"My children are a little devastated. Dad walked out the door with a cough and he hasn't returned," Sidney Garcia said.

RICHMOND, TX — This year’s flu epidemic has a Fort Bend County corrections officer fighting to stay alive in a Sugar Land hospital's intensive care unit.

Efren Garcia went to the emergency room on Jan. 3, where doctors diagnosed the father of four with double pneumonia, but what was ailing Garcia was a particularly aggresive flu virus.

“My children are a little devastated,” his wife Sidney told KPRC. “Dad walked out the door with a cough and he hasn't returned.”

Find out what's happening in Sugar Landfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Last month, Efren Garcia was placed in a medically induced coma for more than a week, and still has not regained consciousness.

Garcia remains in ICU at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and the medical bills are piling up.

Find out what's happening in Sugar Landfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

His family has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for medical expenses, and the family also plans to host a benefit dinner and silent auction at Safari Texas Ranch. It’s scheduled for March 23 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.

Click here if you’d like to make a donation.

Image: Shuttertstock

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