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Brit stuck in Saudi needs urgent NHS lung transplant
21 Mar
Summary
- Laura Storr requires a lung transplant but cannot receive it in Saudi Arabia.
- A £110,000 medical evacuation flight is needed to bring her to the UK.
- The ongoing conflict has significantly increased the evacuation costs.
Laura Storr, a 35-year-old expatriate from Essex, is in critical condition in Saudi Arabia and urgently requires a lung transplant. While she has been approved for treatment on the NHS, her family is racing to raise £110,000 for a specialized medical evacuation flight.
Laura suffers from pulmonary arterial hypertension, a severe lung condition for which local treatment options are insufficient. Her condition has worsened, and she is now too unwell for commercial travel, necessitating a medevac with a dedicated medical team.
The conflict in the region has complicated the evacuation, significantly increasing costs due to heightened security and logistical challenges. Her sister Emily expressed devastation, highlighting the emotional toll and the added worry for their parents who are caring for Laura.
Laura moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 and works, with her employer's insurance covering current medical expenses but not the vital repatriation flight. The urgency is underscored by her rapidly deteriorating health, with doctors noting a rare, aggressive form of her condition that is more impactful on her heart and lungs, for which specific medications are unavailable there.
