A fundraiser has been launched to support a ‘spirited’ young woman from Co Clare who is fighting for her life after suffering a ‘sudden and traumatic accident’ while traveling abroad.
Aoife Cahill, from Clonfadda in Killaloe, is currently in a medically induced coma after sustaining severe injuries from a fall while rock climbing in Vietnam on Friday, December 19, reports The Mirror.
Aoife, who has been living in Perth, Australia for the past three years, had travelled to Vietnam to meet friends for the Christmas holidays when the terrible accident occurred.
The 29-yr-old was rushed to hospital after the fall, where she underwent brain surgery and remains under sedation to allow the swelling on her brain to decrease, reports The Mirror.
Her family said that Aoife was looked after with “incredible kindness” by a Good Samaritan named Catherine, who witnessed the incident and stayed with her during the critical first days, ensuring she was not alone.
The incident comes at a particularly painful time for the Cahill family, as Aoife’s mother Janette passed away after a short illness almost exactly one year before Aoife’s accident, reports The Mirror.
Aoife, who worked as a secretary for a medical consultant at University Hospital Limerick before moving to Australia, is still receiving vital medical care. Her family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her repatriation and ongoing treatment in Ireland, reports The Mirror.
The funds raised will go towards Aoife’s emergency medical care in Vietnam, as well as hospital and specialist treatment costs. They will also help cover the expenses for medical transport and her repatriation to Ireland, as well as travel and logistical costs for her care.
In a message shared on the GoFundMe page, Aoife’s brother Ruairi said: “We are raising funds for our beloved Aoife Cahill, who was seriously injured while traveling in Vietnam. Aoife was involved in a sudden and traumatic accident and is currently in an induced coma as doctors work to stabilise her condition,” reports The Mirror.
“Alongside her immediate medical treatment, there will be substantial expenses for hospital care, specialist treatment, and ultimately arranging for Aoife to be safely transported home once she is well enough to travel,” he added, reports The Mirror.
Ruairi described Aoife as a “kind, warm, and adventurous person” who “brings so much light to the lives of those around her” and emphasized that she now needs all the support possible during this difficult time.
“We are asking for help to ease the financial burden on Aoife and her family during this incredibly difficult time,” Ruairi said, reports The Mirror.
Ruairi, who travelled to Vietnam earlier this week to be by his sister’s side, added: “Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to Aoife and her family. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page to help us reach as many people as possible.”
As of now, the GoFundMe page has raised over €50,000 of its €55,000 goal within just days of being launched. If you would like to make a donation, you can visit the fundraising page here, reports The Mirror.
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