Colorado Springs mother mourns the loss of her son after fight with influenza

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A mother in Colorado Springs is mourning the loss of her 29-year-old son after he passed away from the flu on Jan. 25.

Kasey Yurovak, says her son Richard was sick with influenza A leading up his death. According to the family's GoFundMe, their son was able to obtain Tamiflu, but he gave the medicine to his girlfriend who was also sick and didn't have insurance.

"He literally gave his life to save her life," said Kasey between tears. "He loved with all his heart and soul. And he was such an amazing human being."

Although Richard was not in the at-risk demographic for the flu, the family says he was not vaccinated at the time and did not expect his condition to deteriorate so rapidly.

On Jan. 24, the family took Richard to the hospital to be treated for the flu and dehydration. Shortly after, his kidneys were failing and doctors put him on life support for pneumonia-related complications.

At 9:43 p.m. the next day, Richard passed away.

Kasey says she is sharing her son's story in hopes that others will stay safe and take necessary precautions for their health.

"I want to be an advocate for my son because I don't want to see other family go through this," she said. "I truly believe that he did what he was meant to do on this Earth and he's at peace."

KRDO is learning about this death after the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently confirmed the second pediatric flu death in Colorado this season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says we are experiencing a high-activity flu season. The agency estimates there have been 210,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths from flu this season.