Jon was on a plane with his wife to London for their dream holiday when he was struck down with a deadly disease
An Australian couple who saved for years for a European holiday have had their dreams shattered after one of them contracted a life-threatening illness.
Excitement quickly turned to panic for hard-working Australians Jon and Mary after Jon became seriously ill on their flight to London last week.
The couple were rushed from the airport to the hospital, where it was discovered that Jon had meningococcal septicemia, a serious blood infection that is spread from person to person through coughing or prolonged close contact.
Mary’s colleague Michelle said on Wednesday that Jon has already been in intensive care for 10 days since arriving in London.
‘Jon and Mary saved for a long time to go abroad for their dream holiday of a lifetime, only to see Jon die on the flight from a fatal infectious disease, meningococcal septicaemia,’ she wrote on Go to GoFundMe.
‘After landing in London, this happy couple started their dream vacation. They traveled straight from the airport to the hospital. There, Jon was admitted to intensive care as a seriously ill man.’
Patients with meningococcal septicemia often experience fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and confusion.
Michelle asked Australians to ‘dig deep into their pockets’ for the hardworking and ‘sincere’ couple.
Mary and Jon (pictured) had to go straight to hospital when they arrived in London because Jon had contracted meningococcal septicaemia.
“With the extra travel, accommodation and possible medical expenses, the costs quickly add up!” she wrote.
“I hope people will dig deep and help this beautiful couple the Australian way. The trip to the hospital alone costs $120 every day.
‘Mary is alone in a new and strange country and receives no support during this devastating ordeal.
‘For something like this to happen is a disheartening and frightening experience, to say the least.
“If we can come together and take away some of the financial burden, that would be a huge step for this couple. Then they can focus on Jon’s health and the long recovery.”
The concerned friend added that any donation would be “greatly appreciated.”
Since launching on Wednesday, the campaign has raised $3,400 so far.