Help for the Franjko Family
Donation protected
This fund is being created to help the Franjko family bring Karlo back home to the U.S. You can read his story below but the short version is he was vacationing in Croatia and became critically ill in August. His family needs him to come home so he can receive the proper medical care he needs to fully recover. The cost of a medical evacuation flight from Croatia to the U.S. is estimated to be upwards of $100,000. That does not include any additional bills the family has incurred for his care from the hospitals, doctors, therapists and nursing home. Anything donated would go towards bringing Karlo home and helping the family with medical bills! Whether it is $5 or $500, thank you for supporting the Franjko family.
On August 26 the Franjko family arrived in Zurich, Switzerland for a family vacation. Karlo, Zora, Dan and Darla were excited to visit family and friends in Switzerland and Croatia! Having had carotid artery surgery in July, Karlo had recently been cleared by his doctor to join his family on this vacation. He was looking forward to relaxing and enjoying this trip.
On August 27, Karlo started having trouble walking, getting shaky and was not feeling well. By August 28, he was very sick, couldn’t walk on his own and wasn’t able to go to the restroom since the night before. On the advice of family, Dan and Zora drove Karlo nine hours from Zurich, Switzerland to Zagreb, Croatia. Karlo has no recollection of this journey.
They connected with relatives there and rushed him to the ER at Rebro Hospital in Zagreb. Immediately upon arrival doctors suspected a neurological condition and questioned if Karlo had any insect bites. After spending 24 hours in the ER, he was transferred to KLINIKA ZA INFEKTIVNE BOLESTI "DR. FRAN MIHALJEVIĆ", Croatia’s only infectious disease hospital, also in Zagreb. He was first diagnosed with an encephalitis brain infection, and the cause was then determined to be from West Nile Virus. He was immediately placed in ICU where he spent 7 weeks. During this time, his family was only able to visit him for ½ hour on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
They induced a 2-day coma to get his brain to rest. He also was given a tracheotomy to help him breathe. He remained in a coma-like state for 3 weeks (he would only open his eyes when calling his name and then go back to sleep). After after 3 weeks, he finally started opening his eyes and became more alert. After 7 weeks, they transferred him to a regular room and indicated there was little left they could do for him. He would need to be transferred shortly to a skilled nursing facility for extensive rehab. The doctor emphasized that this would be a long, hard process.
October 26th he was transferred to Dom Buzin nursing home in Zagreb. At this point, he still has a feeding tube and very limited movement in his extremities. Shortly after getting to Dom Buzin, it was learned the hospital did not provide proper physical therapy despite the family continually expressing their concerns to the doctors about this. In addition, it was discovered that the hospital did a poor job of re-positioning Karlo during his 8 week stay there. As a result, he has a massive bed sore on his sacrum/lower back area that has turned into a MRSA staph infection. If he were home, he would need to be treated by a wound specialist for this. Karlo has also lost a lot of weight and muscle mass during his hospital stay. Because of the seriousness of his illness, the only way Karlo can come home is in an isolated medical evacuation flight.
Since the hospital’s procedures and practices are not as advanced as in the U.S., Karlo is making minimal progress. Dom Buzin is now providing him with physical therapy 5 days a week and they are providing him with proper nutrition; however, he still has a feeding tube, and still is not able to sit up or get out of bed and walk. He needs occupational and speech therapy as well, but these are not currently available to him.
We believe the hospital provided him with minimal care because of insurance. Anthem only covers a maximum of $25,000 for international medical claims and the family is responsible for the remaining balance. Imagine what this will be after the amount of time he has been hospitalized!
The Franjkos are desperate to get Karlo back to the U.S. so he can get the proper medical care he needs for a complete recovery. They are doing everything they possibly can to find a way to get a medical evacuation flight from Croatia back to the States. Estimates for this have been between $80,000-$100,000 and they are hoping to get someone to step up and help them make this possible. They are working with the Cleveland Clinic, local and national politicians, insurance companies, the U.S. Embassy in Croatia and many others.
This whole ordeal has also been very stressful for Zora as she has been by Karlo’s side since day one. At times, she has felt so helpless as she watches her husband lay in bed day after day unable to fully communicate with her. As she prays daily for a miracle, she has relied on her strong faith and belief in God to help her cope during this very difficult time. It is hard enough dealing with a family members serious health issues when they are being treated at the best hospitals here in Ohio so imagine her fear being in a foreign country where the medical care does not meet our standards.
Karlo is a wonderful, happy-go-lucky guy. He volunteers at church and makes pierogi’s there weekly. He is always willing to help anyone in need, expecting nothing in return. If you know him personally you have probably been on the receiving end of his homemade slivovitz, wine or smoked meats. He is definitely a joyful giver!
Together, Karlo and Zora welcome everyone into their home for delicious home-cooked meals, for homemade wine and for lively conversation. They always seem to be on the giving end but at this time they need to be on the receiving end. That is why we are asking for the help of their family and friends. We sincerely hope those that have a little extra to give can help this amazing family in their time of need.
The Franjkos are a family of strong faith and believe in the power of prayer. Please continue to lift them up in prayer daily! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! God Bless You!
On August 26 the Franjko family arrived in Zurich, Switzerland for a family vacation. Karlo, Zora, Dan and Darla were excited to visit family and friends in Switzerland and Croatia! Having had carotid artery surgery in July, Karlo had recently been cleared by his doctor to join his family on this vacation. He was looking forward to relaxing and enjoying this trip.
On August 27, Karlo started having trouble walking, getting shaky and was not feeling well. By August 28, he was very sick, couldn’t walk on his own and wasn’t able to go to the restroom since the night before. On the advice of family, Dan and Zora drove Karlo nine hours from Zurich, Switzerland to Zagreb, Croatia. Karlo has no recollection of this journey.
They connected with relatives there and rushed him to the ER at Rebro Hospital in Zagreb. Immediately upon arrival doctors suspected a neurological condition and questioned if Karlo had any insect bites. After spending 24 hours in the ER, he was transferred to KLINIKA ZA INFEKTIVNE BOLESTI "DR. FRAN MIHALJEVIĆ", Croatia’s only infectious disease hospital, also in Zagreb. He was first diagnosed with an encephalitis brain infection, and the cause was then determined to be from West Nile Virus. He was immediately placed in ICU where he spent 7 weeks. During this time, his family was only able to visit him for ½ hour on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
They induced a 2-day coma to get his brain to rest. He also was given a tracheotomy to help him breathe. He remained in a coma-like state for 3 weeks (he would only open his eyes when calling his name and then go back to sleep). After after 3 weeks, he finally started opening his eyes and became more alert. After 7 weeks, they transferred him to a regular room and indicated there was little left they could do for him. He would need to be transferred shortly to a skilled nursing facility for extensive rehab. The doctor emphasized that this would be a long, hard process.
October 26th he was transferred to Dom Buzin nursing home in Zagreb. At this point, he still has a feeding tube and very limited movement in his extremities. Shortly after getting to Dom Buzin, it was learned the hospital did not provide proper physical therapy despite the family continually expressing their concerns to the doctors about this. In addition, it was discovered that the hospital did a poor job of re-positioning Karlo during his 8 week stay there. As a result, he has a massive bed sore on his sacrum/lower back area that has turned into a MRSA staph infection. If he were home, he would need to be treated by a wound specialist for this. Karlo has also lost a lot of weight and muscle mass during his hospital stay. Because of the seriousness of his illness, the only way Karlo can come home is in an isolated medical evacuation flight.
Since the hospital’s procedures and practices are not as advanced as in the U.S., Karlo is making minimal progress. Dom Buzin is now providing him with physical therapy 5 days a week and they are providing him with proper nutrition; however, he still has a feeding tube, and still is not able to sit up or get out of bed and walk. He needs occupational and speech therapy as well, but these are not currently available to him.
We believe the hospital provided him with minimal care because of insurance. Anthem only covers a maximum of $25,000 for international medical claims and the family is responsible for the remaining balance. Imagine what this will be after the amount of time he has been hospitalized!
The Franjkos are desperate to get Karlo back to the U.S. so he can get the proper medical care he needs for a complete recovery. They are doing everything they possibly can to find a way to get a medical evacuation flight from Croatia back to the States. Estimates for this have been between $80,000-$100,000 and they are hoping to get someone to step up and help them make this possible. They are working with the Cleveland Clinic, local and national politicians, insurance companies, the U.S. Embassy in Croatia and many others.
This whole ordeal has also been very stressful for Zora as she has been by Karlo’s side since day one. At times, she has felt so helpless as she watches her husband lay in bed day after day unable to fully communicate with her. As she prays daily for a miracle, she has relied on her strong faith and belief in God to help her cope during this very difficult time. It is hard enough dealing with a family members serious health issues when they are being treated at the best hospitals here in Ohio so imagine her fear being in a foreign country where the medical care does not meet our standards.
Karlo is a wonderful, happy-go-lucky guy. He volunteers at church and makes pierogi’s there weekly. He is always willing to help anyone in need, expecting nothing in return. If you know him personally you have probably been on the receiving end of his homemade slivovitz, wine or smoked meats. He is definitely a joyful giver!
Together, Karlo and Zora welcome everyone into their home for delicious home-cooked meals, for homemade wine and for lively conversation. They always seem to be on the giving end but at this time they need to be on the receiving end. That is why we are asking for the help of their family and friends. We sincerely hope those that have a little extra to give can help this amazing family in their time of need.
The Franjkos are a family of strong faith and believe in the power of prayer. Please continue to lift them up in prayer daily! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! God Bless You!
Fundraising team (3)
Lori Shandor
Organizer
New Middletown, OH
Dan Franjko
Beneficiary
Dan Franjko
Team member
JoAnn Salcer
Team member
