A family holiday to Greece has turned into a desperate ordeal for Alan Kirby, a 67-year-old man from Marston Magna, Somerset. What began as a dream getaway on July 3 quickly became a medical emergency when Alan fell seriously ill abroad.
Alan, who works as a car valeter in Yeovil, developed pneumonia and was also given a shocking preliminary diagnosis of suspected cancer. After initially being treated for a chest infection at a local clinic on July 6, Alan was transferred to a hospital in Athens. There, his step-daughter Liza Whitmore recalls the blunt reality: “Antibiotics won’t cure cancer.”
The family now faces the urgent challenge of getting Alan back home to the UK for a biopsy and cancer treatment, but insurance complications stand in their way. While his insurance covers transport from Zante to Athens hospital, the critical journey home from Athens is not covered.
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Liza, who has returned to the UK alone, stresses the urgency: “Time is not on our side. If it is cancer, he needs immediate treatment at home.”
She reached out to the British Embassy for assistance, but they are unable to fund Alan’s return. Instead, they recommended setting up a fundraiser to cover hospital fees in Greece and flight costs back to the UK.
So far, the fundraiser has raised £1,703, but the family faces a staggering €14,194.74 hospital bill in Athens. Half of that is due imminently, with more needed to secure Alan’s repatriation.
Liza also warns other travelers to be meticulous about travel insurance declarations. Alan did not disclose a previously diagnosed benign tumor because he felt well, but this omission appears to have invalidated their policy. She emphasizes the importance of carrying a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and obtaining a “fit to fly” certificate when necessary.
“I didn’t even know about ‘fit to fly’ certificates,” Liza admits. These documents, issued by doctors, confirm that a patient is medically fit to travel by plane—often essential for those recently discharged from hospital or with current health issues.
The family’s situation is a cautionary tale about the importance of detailed disclosure and preparation before traveling abroad, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. Their hope now is to raise enough funds quickly to bring Alan home for the care he urgently needs.