Thread: Family fundraising to bring comatose Edmonton man home from Thailand

Bill Hughes and his daughter Jillian


Friends, family and firefighters are trying to raise money to bring a retired Edmonton firefighter home after a tropical virus put him in a coma overseas.

“It’s pretty scary for his daughter and for the family so we’re putting together a bunch of programs at this end,” said Pat Martin, president of the Edmonton Fire Services Retirees Brigade.

During a vacation to Thailand, retired Edmonton firefighter Bill Hughes was struck with a mosquito-borne illness called Japanese Encephalitis, a virus that — though most often prevented by vaccination — can result in inflammation of the brain for a small percentage of those infected.

Symptoms can range from headaches to high fever, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and coma.

In January, Hughes went into hospital in Chiang Mai in the north part of the country and soon after went into a coma. His daughter Jillian has been by his side since then, Martin said.

The family created website at bringbillhome.ca, as well as a Go Fund Me page called “Bring Bill Home” in hopes of raising the $200,000 they were told it would cost to transport him home with Angel Flight, an Alberta-based organization that specializes in providing air travel for rural Albertans who need medical services.

“A note to thank all who have donated to date, to help evac my son (and) my granddaughter home safely is greatly appreciated,” reads a message on the site from Hughes’ mother Heather.

But Martin hopes he and his fellow firefighters can do more than just help with the costs.

“It’s a pretty powerful brotherhood,” he said, adding local crews have connected with provincial and federal groups to get the word out and are even working to get the International Association of Firefighters on board as well.

“Through our contacts as firefighters and medics, we’re trying to find other avenues for the Hughes family to make it more affordable,” he said.

So far, some have come forward offering their expertise and services to bring him home, potentially bringing down the cost. But a successful medical evacuation also depends on timing.

“If he’s not stable, they won’t package and send him. So it’s the waiting game and we’re kind of hoping and praying,” Martin said.

The online donations have topped $21,000 after just five days and Martin says silent auctions are being planned to increase that total.

He said Hughes’ propensity for running, biking and all-around adventure could help turn hope into reality.

“We’re just hoping with that kind of shape that’s he’s always been in it’s on the positive side,” he said.

Family fundraising to bring comatose Edmonton man home from Thailand | Edmonton Journal

Jeez the fire fighters i know will go over and bring him back on their back in 12 hours, not a million miles away from Edmonton either. They look after each other..

Another one with no insurance?, 200k sounds a bit over the top

Medivac is expensive and not covered to bring one all the way home on most travel insurance plans. The best they do is medivac to the nearest decent hospital.

$200,000 does sound over the top for a local organization to have a home town man flown home, though.

Jesus,

These mosquito born diseases over here do concern me.



This one seems relatively rare for a farang to fall foul off though.

^ Was waiting for you on this one, terry...You just never know what the fook is going to get you when it's your time...

Mozzies, indeed...Can't be too careful with those little coonts...At least in Canada, they're the size of small birds, so they're easier to swat...These little fooks over here just seem to disappear when you think you have them spotted...

Crafty little barstards...

^

Only thing that concerns me about living in this mad house is those things but in reality we have the same dangerous bastard things in Australia .

Thing is, I'm long way from Home if unfortunate enough to fall victim.

Perth is a Tad closer than Fuking Edmonton though.

At the end of the day if one is in a Coma it's irrelevant where one is.

Could be on the Dark Side Of The Moon.

Originally Posted by misskit

Medivac is expensive and not covered to bring one all the way home on most travel insurance plans. The best they do is medivac to the nearest decent hospital.

$200,000 does sound over the top for a local organization to have a home town man flown home, though.

This insurance thing comes up all the time, people think they are covered for air ambulance.
In fact they are covered for a commercial plane ticket, so if you are bed ridden, you aren't going anywhere.

so why should strangers pay?

I had my JE booster last week, £80.00 sounds cheap compared to what this poor chap is facing. I was told not needed for Thailand, but is for Cambodia, Laos.

Originally Posted by Bower

I had my JE booster last week, £80.00 sounds cheap compared to what this poor chap is facing. I was told not needed for Thailand, but is for Cambodia, Laos.

Certain parts of Thailand, it's around, my area all the school kids get vaccinated [free] high risk area.
In so doing I guess the stats would show a low infection rate, even in high risk areas.

We've all had our shots, 3, I think it was, better safe than sorry, if you are entering risky areas.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

This insurance thing comes up all the time, people think they are covered for air ambulance.
In fact they are covered for a commercial plane ticket.

Would that not depend on the Level of cover one has purchased. ?

If a commercial flight is used the Insurance company will purchase a row of seats and have them removed to place a bed. A nurse will fly as well.

Originally Posted by terry57

Originally Posted by jamescollister

This insurance thing comes up all the time, people think they are covered for air ambulance.
In fact they are covered for a commercial plane ticket.

Would that not depend on the Level of cover one has purchased. ?

If a commercial flight is used the Insurance company will purchase a row of seats and have them removed to place a bed. A nurse will fly as well.

You need to read the policy very carefully, as has been said before, people think they are covered, then something happens and there is a clause, no cover.

In this guys case, he may not have even been covered, if he contracted the bug in a remote area, many policies don't cover certain areas of risk.

Remember when first coming here, travel insurance would not cover me for malaria, high risk area, some even said I would only get any cover if I had a registered guide with me.

Pays to really read those policies and know what they will and will not do for you.

Originally Posted by Dragonfly94

so why should strangers pay?

Always perplexing and contradictory.

$200,000 USD to fly a guy in a coma back to the UK.

Sounds way too high.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Pays to really read those policies and know what they will and will not do for you.

This is where the problem lies Jim,

Punters buy their Insurance and do not read the fookin clauses.

When shit happens and the incident is not covered under the clauses they say they have been fuked over by the Insurance Company.

One must always remember Insurance is a business and any Insurance will be voided if the Incident falls inside the clauses.

Car Insurance, life insurance, health insurance are all the same.

Originally Posted by Black Heart

$200,000 USD to fly a guy in a coma back to the UK.

To Canada.

You got to hand it to the Thais, sick Farangs are good money earners, and now with crowd funding it's even more money.

I'm sure all current and retired firefighters all over the world will be dipping into their pockets to help this guy. Anybody know any on TD?

^ seems to be a couple of 9/11 fighters of fire on here that still debate that momentous day

Originally Posted by Bower

I was told not needed for Thailand, but is for Cambodia, Laos.

Until AEC is fully in effect, then can enter at a number of land borders.

Originally Posted by Neverna

I'm sure all current and retired firefighters all over the world will be dipping into their pockets to help this guy. Anybody know any on TD?

Please, please, please; let us all pray that a certain member who claims to be an ex firefighter from Oz refrains from helping, or we'll never hear the bloody last of it...