Friends and family who are fundraising to bring a new bride home after she was hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage on her honeymoon have been given a big boost from well-wishers.
Lihsuan Law married her long-time partner Peter Ingram earlier this month and the pair headed off to South America to celebrate.
On November 16, Lihsuan suffered a massive intraventricular brain hemorrhage and is currently in the ICU at E.S.E. Hospital in Medellin, Colombia.
“It came out of nowhere. As far as we know there was no pre-existing health problem. She just had this freak thing happen to her and it put her immediately into the hospital and it put her in a coma right away so they had to put her in surgery and she’s been under ever since,” said friend Stephanie Orr.
The cost to bring her home is huge and even though the couple had insurance, it doesn’t cover the bill for a medevac flight.
Family and friends started a fundraising campaign to help pay for Lihsuan’s medical costs with a goal of collecting $164,000.
On Monday, the fund was at about the $20,000 mark.
Calgarians and Canadians have stepped up since then and by late Tuesday afternoon the fund had grown to over $100,000.
Friends say the generosity is overwhelming and that's why they asked for help in the first place.
“We’re just trying to provide support from here but we can’t do very much from far away right? But we’re trying to get those funds raised and we thought, you know, let’s reach out to the wider Calgary and this is a wonderful city and when the flood happened everyone came out and it was so wonderful and helpful and people in this city care and we would like to be able to help our friends by reaching out to the wider Calgary community asking please help. Please bring them home,” said Orr.
The couple posted an update on the fundraising page on Tuesday afternoon saying...
To everyone who has contributed to Lihsuan's cause with a monetary donation, and/or kind words of support and encouragement, I would like to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Lihsuan's health is improving daily and it is because of your help that we are so much closer to our goal of transporting Lihsuan back to Canada.
Since the beginning of this campaign, only one day ago, we have received several new travel quotes that have greatly decreased our original projected costs, and it is because of this that we are decreasing our target goal. Lihsuan and I are eternally grateful for the responses you have all shown. Your actions have not only restored my faith in humanity but have also brought me that much closer to having my wife back in full health.
With infinite love and gratitude,
Peter and Lihsuan
The overwhelming response from donors and new quotes for travel made it possible for the campaign to reduce its total goal to $102,000 and that number was acheived by about 5:30 p.m.
Travellers can get insurance from a number of agencies but many people don’t know exactly what they are covered for when they leave the country.
Travel agents that CTV News spoke with said all situations are different.
They say the best value offers coverage for cancellation or trip interruption along with emergency medical needs and includes hospital stays because they end up being the most expensive for travellers.
Canadians on the whole are cautious when travelling abroad and according to the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada more than 95 percent of claims last year were paid out to the tune of $138M.
Experts say the best way to protect yourself is to know your coverage.
“It’s really important that you read the policy because then you are fully aware of what you’re covered with or what you’re not and what you may want to top up with as well,” said Onanta Forbes from Calgary Coop Travel.
On Tuesday, the province told CTV News Calgary that Alberta Health Care Insurance may provide partial funding for insured physician and hospital services received outside Canada but it does not help cover medevac costs if someone gets sick travelling and wants to come back to Alberta for care.
To donate to Lihsuan’s Emergency Medevac Fund click HERE.
