Friends of a West Donegal woman who has been forced to undergo lifesaving surgery have come together to launch a fund to help her pay her medical bills and get back on her feet.
Caroline McGinley, from Derrybeg in Gaoth Dobhair, now lives in New York but still has huge ties with her home county.
Her family are steeped in the GAA tradition and her father Packie would have played for and managed many Gaoth Dobhair team down through the years.
Caroline’s world was turned upside down recently.
On March 7th she was complaining of pain in her back, the pain got progressively worse over the next few days.
On March 10th Caroline went to the emergency department where numerous tests and scans were ran, as medical personnel were trying to find out the issue.
The following day Caroline took a very bad turn and had to be intubated and sedated.
She was diagnosed with sepsis and strep pneumonia, two very serious conditions and was given just a 10% chance of survival.
However, her friend Paul Carolan says that anyone who knows Caroline knows she wasn’t ready to give up without one hell of a fight.
Paul has also organised a Go Fund Me page for Caroline’s medical bills and expenses.
He said “Now, as we all know our Caroline, she’s very stubborn and fights back, and that’s exactly what she did, she fought the toughest fight of her life, and on March 22nd she was taken off the ventilator and woke up, beating the odds.
“Caroline had to have surgery on March 30th, where surgeons had to remove approximately half of her right lung.
“Caroline has a very long and tough road ahead, we’re asking for your help with medical costs and after care for our beloved friend, every little bit helps.
“We really appreciate whatever it is you can donate.”
The aim of the fund is to raise $50,000 and the fund has already raised more than $38,000 thanks to the generosity of people.
If you can spare anything please log onto: https://www.gofundme.com/f/carolines-medical-and-after-care
