A veteran San Francisco journalist has opened up about his recent absence from the airwaves, disclosing that a devastating family crisis has kept him from his duties as an anchor.
James Fletcher, known for his role on KRON4 Morning News, shared on Thursday that his son, Collin, has suffered paralysis from the waist down following a “sudden, unexplained neurological crisis” that landed him in the hospital earlier this month.
The cause of the 23-year-old’s paralysis remains a mystery, with medical professionals urgently working to determine the underlying issue.
The family is deeply concerned that with each day that passes, the chances of reversing the unknown condition diminish.
“Every day without answers is one more day that the opportunity for recovery shrinks,” James expressed in an online statement. “We’re engaged in a battle we never chose, against an unyielding clock, fighting for our son’s chance to walk again—all while facing potential financial ruin.”
James also revealed that Collin has been enduring “Crohn’s disease, seizures, and a series of complex conditions” for many years, leaving the family burdened with significant debt.
“Each crisis left behind bills,” Fletcher wrote. “We managed them the way most families do: payment plans, credit cards, loans. We did what we had to do. But years of doing what we had to do have left us with a crushing load of medical debt — and almost no margin left.”
The family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses, with nearly $10,000 raised of the $55,000 goal as of Friday morning. The family said the fund will be used for “past medical debt, newly incurred medical bills,” and “specialized care and equipment he needs to live without the use of his legs.”
KRON4 wished one of its top anchors and his family well.
“The KRON4 family is standing with James, Collin, and the Fletcher family and is wishing Collin strength and a full recovery,” the network wrote.
Fletcher has worked for the station since 2002.
