Alan Kirby, a 67-year-old from Marston Magna, is fighting for his life after his family holiday in Greece took a devastating turn. Since July 6, Alan has been trapped in Greece following a sudden illness initially suspected to be pneumonia. After checking into a local clinic, he was soon transferred to a hospital where doctors revealed a troubling diagnosis: antibiotics alone wouldn’t treat what they believed could be cancer.
Alan’s step-daughter, Liza Whitemore, emphasized the critical need for him to return to the UK for a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. While his insurance covered transfer from Zante Hospital to a general hospital in Athens, it does not cover the expensive flight home.
Tragically, Alan was placed in a medically-induced coma on August 8 without his family present or forewarned. Liza recalls being told initially that a coma was not planned, only to discover through a third party that doctors had sedated him. Since then, Alan has remained unconscious, and his condition has fluctuated, including bouts of fever and instability.
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The family faces mounting challenges, including a €50 daily fee for a nurse should Alan be moved to a regular ward. Despite setting up a fundraiser on the British Embassy’s advice, they have only raised £8,451 of the £18,000 needed to bring Alan home safely. Charitable support from Ben, an organization aiding motor industry workers where Alan previously worked as a car valeter, has helped but is not enough.
Liza is urging the public for financial support while also warning travelers to meticulously declare all health conditions on insurance forms to avoid invalidating coverage. Alan, who had a previously undiagnosed benign tumor, now faces challenges due to this omission. She also stresses the importance of carrying a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and obtaining a ‘fit to fly’ certificate when required, especially for those with recent health issues.
This heartbreaking ordeal serves as a stark reminder to holidaymakers about the critical importance of thorough medical preparation and understanding insurance policies before traveling abroad.