An Australian couple who spent years saving for a European holiday saw their dreams shattered after one of them contracted a life-threatening illness.
Excitement quickly turned to panic for Australian workers Jon and Mary after Jon became seriously ill during their flight to London last week.
The couple were forced to go straight from the airport to the hospital, where it was revealed that Jon had meningococcal septicaemia, a serious blood infection that is spread from person to person through coughing or prolonged close contact.
Mary’s co-worker Michelle revealed on Wednesday that Jon had so far spent 10 days in intensive care since landing in London.
“Jon and Mary had been saving for a long time to travel abroad, for their once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation, only for Jon to fall ill during the flight with a deadly infectious disease, meningococcal septicaemia,” she wrote in GoFundMe.
‘After landing in London, this fun-loving couple began their dream vacation by traveling immediately to the hospital from the airport, where Jon was admitted to the intensive care unit as a very sick man.’
Patients with meningococcal septicemia often experience fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and confusion.
Michelle called on Australians to “look deep” for the hard-working and “genuine” couple.
Mary and Jon (pictured) had to go straight to hospital upon landing in London because Jon contracted meningococcal septicaemia.
“With the additional travel, lodging and any medical expenses we have to incur, the expenses add up quickly,” she wrote.
“I hope people will want to help this beautiful couple in an Australian way. The trip to the hospital costs $120 each day.
‘Mary is alone in a strange new country, with no support during this devastating experience.
‘To have something like this happen is a daunting and terrifying experience, to say the least.
“If we could come together and alleviate some of the financial burden, it would be a huge help to this couple so they can focus solely on Jon’s health and his long recovery.”
The concerned friend added that any donations “would be greatly appreciated.”
The campaign has so far raised $3,400 since its launch on Wednesday.