What happened to the 78-year-old grandmother in China?

The 78-year-old grandmother suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke, leading to her being placed in an induced coma in a Kunming hospital.

How much does it cost to bring the grandmother home from China?

Bringing the grandmother home via air ambulance is estimated to cost around $400,000, while transport on a commercial airline with a stretcher service would be approximately $108,800.

Is there any community support for the grandmother's family?

Yes, an online fundraising page has been set up, which has raised over $16,000, demonstrating overwhelming support from the community.

Home / Health / Grandmother Stranded in China Coma: Family Can't Afford Evacuation

Grandmother Stranded in China Coma: Family Can't Afford Evacuation

29 Mar

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Summary

A 78-year-old grandmother is in a coma in China after a stroke.
Her family faces exorbitant costs for medical transport home.
Community support is growing via an online fundraising page.

A family reunion turned into a crisis for a 78-year-old British Columbia grandmother, Lilia Avoutova, who is now in a coma in a Kunming hospital. Avoutova, of mixed Chinese and Ukrainian heritage, arrived in China on March 4, but suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke two days later, preventing her from reaching her birthplace in Xinjiang. Her daughter, Elena Lanteigne, reports that her mother has been in an induced coma since March 8, with communication with doctors proving extremely challenging due to language barriers.

The family is facing a significant financial burden, as they did not purchase travel medical insurance. Daily ICU costs in China amount to approximately $1,000, and the retired couple's savings are depleted. The most immediate concern is the cost of bringing Avoutova home, with an air ambulance estimated at $400,000, an unaffordable sum for the family. A less risky but still expensive option of commercial airline transport with a stretcher service is quoted at $108,800.