£200k needed to bring seriously ill grandmother home to the Black Country
A grandmother has fallen seriously ill in Mexico – and now needs £200,000 to return to the Black Country.
A fundraising page has been launched to raise for the medical care of Maxine Howell.
It has so far collected £2,000 in just 24 hours towards her treatment, care and travel home.
Ms Howell fell ill two days after arriving in Cancun with a friend for her 50th birthday celebration.
She was diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchiolitis and put in a medically-induced coma.
But during her treatment her family were told Ms Howell, of Willett Road, West Bromwich, had not adequately disclosed her medication to the insurance company.
That meant the insurers would only pay 10.25 per cent of the cost of her treatment, which so far has totalled more than £100,000 and is growing by the day.
Her brother, Garry Howell, said she faces losing her house to pay the fees if the money cannot be found.
He said: “She was 50 on January 24 and she flew out to Mexico the next day.
“Within a couple of days she started to feel unwell, her breathing was laboured and she went to a medical centre and they sent her to hospital, and they carried out a procedure straight away to take fluid off her lungs and put her in a medically-induced coma.
“She was supposed to be flying home yesterday but that’s not going to happen now, she’s still in a coma.”
$130,000 and rising
The 49-year-old, of Hateley Heath, added: “Days after her procedure they asked us to send her documents and yesterday they phoned me to say they’ve read all the medical reviews and because she didn’t disclose she was taking medication for bipolar disorder, or that she was prescribed an inhaler two years ago that they will only pay 10.25 per cent of the costs.
“It has already cost 130,000 dollars and it is rising.
“We’ve spent thousands already. Her daughters have paid to fly out to Mexico – we are now desperate.
“I’m a proud man but I’ll beg if I have to. It’s going to financially cripple the family.”
Since the fundraiser was launched, friends and family have rallied round to donate through the online page.
Now they are asking people in the Black Country to help pay to bring her home.
Mr Howell said: “I’m overwhelmed with the amount raised already.
“If that’s what can be raised in 12 hours, what can it do in 24 hours.”
Ms Howell’s daughter, Elle Lowe, said: “I’m speechless about it. I feel like it’s her life on the line.
“My mum has gone to Mexico for her birthday celebration and she might lose her house now.”
For more information, or to donate, visit gofundme.com/help-bring-maxine-home