Amanda Cannon was rushed into intensive care after she collapsed on holiday in Turkey. Her family now face a staggering £25,000 hospital bill due to not having travel insurance
A British grandmother is battling for her life in Turkey after suffering a heart attack on holiday – and her family are now facing a staggering £25,000 Amanda Cannon, 58, was rushed to intensive care after collapsing during a trip with her daughter Marisa White on 10 October. The grandmother-of-nine from Redhill, Surrey, reportedly went without oxygen for 10 minutes after experiencing what doctors suspect was an epileptic seizure and cardiac arrest.
She is currently on life support in a private hospital in Antalya, Turkey. Family members report that her treatment is costing approximately €3,500 (£3,000) per day, with the bill already amounting to €30,000 (£25,000).
Hannah Cooper, the mother of Amanda’s grandchildren, flew to Turkey with her five-year-old daughter following a distressing call from Marisa.
She recounted how Amanda suddenly “jolted backwards”, turned blue and stopped breathing during the horror incident. Marisa started CPR until paramedics arrived and took over, reports Surrey Live.
No travel insurance
Amanda did not have travel insurance, but her former daughter-in-law Hannah stated that Turkish medical staff would not cease treatment due to religious reasons. The family are concerned that the escalating costs could reach hundreds of thousands of pounds if her condition fails to improve.
Hannah, 33, from Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, stated: “She’s now in a deep coma. She’s got kidney failure, liver failure. They said there’s a 20 per cent chance that she’ll wake up and if she does, she’ll be in a vegetative state.”
She also disclosed the hospital wouldn’t discharge her to a public one until half of the bill was settled.
Hannah stated: “I’ve asked for a transfer to a state hospital where it would still cost money, but not like this.”
The family initiated a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of £15,000, but now fear the final bill could be significantly higher.
Despite no longer being with Amanda’s son, Hannah said the 58-year-old has remained a significant figure in her life.
She said: “She’s been like a second mum to me for 17 years. She’s always been my biggest supporter.”
The ordeal has also affected Amanda’s grandchildren.
Hannah said: “My eldest is asking a lot of questions and is upset. My little girl just keeps saying she wants to see her nan.”
Hannah and her daughter were scheduled to return to the UK on Sunday, October 18, while Marisa plans to fly back to Turkey after collecting medication.
Hannah stated: “We’re upset, shocked and confused. We just don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
The fundraiser can be accessed on GoFundMe.