May 24th 2024.
After a relaxing Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas with her husband, Loretta Cox, a 54-year-old grandmother from Georgia, found herself fighting for her life in a hospital in the Dominican Republic. The leisure trip had taken a drastic turn when Cox's condition deteriorated, and she was placed on a ventilator on the boat. Her daughter, Aldes Brooks, recalled the harrowing experience, "She didn't even make it to her room. She collapsed, and two teenagers had to help her and call for a medic."
The cruise ship reluctantly had to leave Cox at a hospital in the Dominican Republic on May 21. Her family quickly rallied to raise $28,000 for a medical flight to bring her back to the United States for treatment. However, the mounting medical costs continued to be a source of stress for the family. They had to pay an additional $28,000 for an ambulance to transport Cox to the hospital for intensive care. As Brooks shared, "Everything is just so expensive, $10,000, $15,000, $24,000."
The main issue was that the Dominican doctors were unable to treat Cox adequately, as they did not accept her insurance. This meant that she would have to pay $4,000 a day to remain in the hospital. While the doctors assured that they could keep her stable, they advised that she be transported back to the United States for further treatment. However, the cost of a medical flight was staggering, with one company quoting over $23,000 upfront.
For the Cox family, this nightmare has been a devastating blow. As Brooks emotionally shared, "She's everything to us. We were not prepared for something like this, not now." It is unclear what type of coverage Cox has, but travel experts recommend purchasing travel insurance before embarking on a cruise. According to Travel Insurance, most cruise plans cover unexpected medical costs in case of a health emergency during a trip. This is especially vital for international cruises, as most standard health insurance plans do not cover treatment in a foreign country. Paying a small fee for travel insurance upfront can save a significant sum of money in case of an emergency.
In a desperate attempt to raise funds quickly, the family has turned to mobile payment apps like Zelle and CashApp. Donations can be sent to Cox's daughter's number, 706-616-0147, through Zelle, or via the cash tag $AldesBrooks on CashApp. The family is grateful for any contribution, big or small, as they struggle to bring their beloved mother and grandmother back home.
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