Stroke recovery and journey back home

Hello, My name is Bernadette Reyes. My mother Elena and I are reaching out to you for your help and support.

My mother Elena Morales Reyes suffered a massive ischemic stroke on August 11th 2019 in Jacksonville, FL. She was showing stroke like symptoms and 911 was dispatched. By the time paramedics arrived and took her to emergency at the hospital the doctors said that she was outside the 3-4 hour window to administer T.P.A. aka clot buster. The doctors had to intervene by going in surgically via angiogram and thrombectomy from her femeral artery to the brain to clear blocked vessels.

An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in an artery within the brain, usually a blood clot (in my mother’s case the right hand side) which has affected her ability to speak, swallow, eat and her mobility. She is currently in the neuro intensive care unit at Mayo clinic a renowned stroke centre.

The amazing neuro critical care team, nurses and staff have been monitoring her closely. Her condition has been complicated by high blood sugars , high (LDL) cholesterol/ lipid levels and high blood pressure. The nurses have been able to keep her stable.

During her surgical procedure her neuro surgeon mentioned that her carotid artery was tight and will require a secondary procedure called a carotid artery endarterectomy once she has fully recovered.

Now that my mother has been stabilized and cleared to travel her condition warrants an air ambulance from the United States to Canada.


We have been given the following air quotes between
air trek $17,263 - $18707 USD
reva air ambulance $19,900 USD
acc med link $19,900 USD
air med int’l $22,908 USD
plus the hospital bills incurred during her stay in ICU is currently at $78,644.80 and increasing each day she is here.

Her case manager has been very helpful and is in the process of arranging her return to Canada and has been in contact with Oakville Trafalgar Memorial hospital. We are now waiting for a call back from patient flow for ability to accept my mom.

We were also quoted $7,970 from Liberty ambulance but were advised they are not able to cross state lines. We are waiting for a response to see if they will travel as far as Buffalo NY and coordinate with another ground ambulance from Oakville to receiving hospital Oakville Trafalgar to cut costs.

Time is crucial for stroke recovery so any donation will be a tremendous help in my mother’s medical journey back home to Canada

We send a heartfelt thank you in advance for your love support and prayers

Elena Morales Reyes
Benjamin Reyes (husband)
Bernadette Reyes (daughter)
Ryan Reyes (deceased son 2014)
Serena Reyes (granddaughter) 10