An Australian mother with a debilitating condition is fighting for her life in a US hospital after contracting pneumonia.
Gina Wherrett, 62, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in September 2022, was admitted to intensive care last week after falling ill.
The 62-year-old Melbourne woman flew with her husband Matt to the Healey Center for ALS, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, United States, in October in an attempt to get life-saving treatment for Mrs Wherrett.
However, she suddenly fell ill one morning after developing pneumonia and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Gina Wherrett (pictured), who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in September, was placed in intensive care last week after her condition worsened
Mr Wherrett said the devastating disease turned their world upside down and said he wanted to do everything he could to help his wife fight the disease.
“On the day of her diagnosis we went home and cried, and I promised her we would be bandaged at the hip,” Mr Wherrett said. news.com.au
“I promised her that I will do what it takes and what I can do… I look her in the eye and I don’t want this to be about dollars and cents, but that’s what it can come down to.”
Mrs Wherrett’s medical costs are now skyrocketing as the family desperately appeals for much-needed help to fund her medical bills.
Her son Sam, who stands next to his brother Marcus at her bedside, has one GoFundMe Wednesday with the family with the goal of raising $200,000 to cover her treatment.
“All of these events have evolved very quickly over the past few days,” Sam wrote.
“We are still waiting for a quote for medical transport, but it could be in the region of $200,000.”
About $10,000 has been raised so far.
‘It has not yet been decided whether mom will have the operation in the US or at home. If it happens in the US, it could cost another $200,000.”
Mr Wherrett said the family is already dealing with about $200,000 in medical bills to cover his wife’s ongoing care and she will need a tracheotomy – to be connected to a ventilator to help her breathe.
The family of Mrs Wherrett (pictured) have set up a GoFundMe page in a desperate bid to cover her mounting medical costs
Mrs Wherrett and her husband Matt flew to the Healey Center for ALS, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, last month in an attempt to receive life-saving treatment for the debilitating condition.
On top of the cost of the surgery, which will set the family back $305,000, they also face costs of about $15,000 per day, based on the medical care Mrs Wherett requires.
Urgent medical repatriation flights to fly Ms Wherett back home will also cost up to $460,000.
A heartbroken Mr Wherrett said the couple, who have been together for 44 years, said they had a ‘beautiful relationship’ and that he would ‘do anything to keep her alive’.
Motor neuron disease occurs when nerves in the body slowly die, causing the strength of the muscles to begin to weaken.
The disease can lead to paralysis and death. Most people are expected to survive for three years after being diagnosed with the disease.
There is no cure, but doctors provide treatment through devices and medications to help patients with their symptoms.
In 2021, almost 800 people died from ALS across Australia and two people are diagnosed with the condition every day across the country.