Irish family in desperate race to bring mum home after dream holiday turns into nightmare

A close-knit Dublin community is rallying together to help bring beloved mother and friend Joan home after she suffered a devastating cardiac arrest while on holiday in Spain.
Joan, who was enjoying her first family holiday in over 20 years, is now in a medically induced coma in intensive care. What began as a long-awaited and well-deserved break has turned into every family's worst nightmare.
Described by friends as 'funny, selfless, and always there when others needed her,' Joan receiving round-the-clock care in a Spanish hospital. Her condition remains critical, and her only chance of returning home to continue treatment in Ireland is via a specialised medical flight – a costly lifeline. A close-knit Dublin community is rallying together to help bring beloved mother and friend Joan home after she suffered a devastating cardiac arrest while on holiday in Spain. Pic: Shutterstock
Joan's lifelong friend Debbie has launched a public appeal to raise €50,000 to fund the air ambulance and support the family.
'Doctors have told us the only safe way to bring Joan home is on a medical plane,' Debbie explained. 'But the cost is astronomical. Her travel insurance won't cover the flight unless she can walk onto a plane with a doctor, which simply isn't possible right now.'
Joan's daughters, who rushed to her side, are also facing mounting expenses as they remain in Spain, including high-season accommodation costs, food, and transportation, all while being away from work and under extreme emotional strain.
Despite the heartache, there's been a glimmer of hope: Joan has responded positively to heart medication, though a new infection has now delayed plans for her journey home. Joan, who was enjoying her first family holiday in over 20 years, is now in a medically induced coma in intensive care. Pic: GoFundMe
'We've been blown away by the kindness and generosity of people,' Debbie said in a recent update. 'We're almost in a position to arrange the medical flight once Joan is stable enough, but the process of releasing funds is slower than we expected. We just need your prayers and positive thoughts now more than ever.'
The campaign has already seen a wave of support from the Irish public, but more is needed to help cover the urgent costs and bring Joan back to the care of her loved ones at home.
'Joan would be the first to help someone in need,' Debbie added. 'Now it's her turn — and we need all the help we can get to bring her home safely.'
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