From ICU to Kenya: Help My Parents Try Again

Hi! My name is Ashley and I am starting a Go Fund Me for my parents.

After saving their entire lives for their dream retirement trip, my mom and dad finally set out on the adventure they had always talked about. But instead of celebrating this long-awaited milestone, they were thrown into a life-threatening medical crisis that changed everything.

While traveling, my dad suffered a sudden rupture in his intestine that led to uncontrolled internal bleeding. His blood pressure dropped dangerously low, and he had to be medically evacuated on an 8-hour journey to Nairobi, where doctors fought to save his life. Those eight hours were terrifying — his condition was touch-and-go the entire time as his blood pressure kept plummeting.

Once in Nairobi, he was rushed into the hospital, where doctors were able to locate and stop the bleeding. He required six blood transfusions and remained in intensive care for the entire duration of what should have been their dream vacation.

Instead of experiencing joy and rest, they were forced to endure trauma, fear, and isolation in a foreign hospital. Eventually, he was medically evacuated back to Canada to recover, and is now under the care of a team of specialists working to stabilize his health.

This experience has not only been emotionally devastating, but also financially draining. We're still unsure how much will be covered by insurance — and the emotional toll is something we’ll never forget.

I’m starting this GoFundMe to help them get a second chance at the retirement trip they worked so hard for and never got to enjoy. They sacrificed and saved for years, dreaming of this experience — and instead, they nearly lost everything. I hope, with your help, we can give them the opportunity to pay off some medical bills and try again when the time is right, and to bring some hope and healing after such a traumatic journey.

Any amount helps — thank you so much for reading and supporting.