Married couple, both health care workers, battling COVID-19

Friends and family raise over $17K for Edna and Eddie Hernandez.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)- A Yuma couple, married for almost 40-years.

Both health care workers, and both fighting coronavirus.

A retired nurse shares her personal connection with the couple and how the community has come together to lend a helping hand.

Marla Moore feels thankful when posting daily updates from her dear friends of nearly thirty years, Edna and Eddie Hernandez.

Moore said, “They both ended up testing positive. This makes it very real. You hear people say it's being blown out of proportion but you know what this is a real family.”

Moore says the married couple fell ill with COVID-19 symptoms earlier this month.

“[Edna's] symptoms were much milder but she did have a lot of pain, shortness of breath, fever, etc. But she was able to stay home. And Eddie's symptoms were a lot harder. ”

Moore says Eddie, a 59-year-old health caregiver is in the ICU in the same hospital (Yuma Regional Medical Center) where he worked before contracting the virus.

For two weeks, he's had to breathe using a ventilator.

“Edna never asked for any money at all, what she asked for was prayer because we all believe in prayer,” Moore said.

Once friends and family members heard about the beloved couple’s health conditions, they wanted to help.

Moore took the initiative in setting up a GoFundMe.

The goal was to raise $15,000.

In 10 days, 280 donations, and 2.4K shares, over $17,000 poured in.

This all came from people Moore believes have some connection to Eddie and Edna.


“Just at a loss for words, so grateful. And at the same time to keep prayers going that's the most important thing that we’ve been seeking out. The financial piece was an unexpected one. I certainly did not expect to exceed our goal but I am so happy for them to ease whatever concerns they have once they get him home.”