Desperate race against time to save Aussie dad overseas: 'He's my kid'
James's mum has issued an urgent plea for anyone visiting the Asian nation to please help her son.
Tourists visiting Thailand have been issued an urgent plea to help an Aussie dad on life support, with one simple act. They need a donation of a rare type of blood.
James Lothian has lived overseas with his Thai wife, and two-year-old son for the past two years. Three months ago he was involved in a catastrophic car accident, leaving him on a ventilator in hospital for days.
Now suffering from sepsis, and requiring an operation on his intestines, he needs O-negative blood. But in Thailand, just 0.3 per cent of the population have Rh negative blood (A-, B-, O- or AB-), so there’s a severe shortage.
James’s mother Theresa Matthews, spoke to Yahoo News from her home in Australia who said she's had her own blood tested and unfortunately it was O positive.
“He got O negative from his dad. So, he’s at the hospital with him, but he can only give one pint and he needs three,” she explained. “He needs new blood before they can fix his intestines.”
If you are in Thailand and have O negative blood you can find out how to donate via this Facebook page.
Surprising way mum discovers baby daughter's terminal illness
Aussies warned amid national outbreak of 'incredibly dangerous' illness
Aussie mum 'falling apart' with son gravely ill in Thai hospital
James’s sister is preparing to fly over to Chonburi, Thailand. But with her 40-year-old brother gravely ill, donations are needed now — and the best source is likely to be either expats or tourists.
Sitting at home is crushing for Theresa. She’s a wildlife rescuer with 45 animals in care at the moment.
“I’m sitting here trying to eat breakfast at 12:00 but I’m not hungry. I’m just falling apart. If I go there there’s nothing I can do. I’m feeling pretty useless," she said.
“He’s my kid you know. I just wish he was here in Australia. It’s been a long three months.”
Medical bills soar as Aussie dad's stay in Thai hospital continues
While getting blood is the priority, paying for James's mounting medical bills will be the family's next priority.
Since living in Thailand permanently, he'd let his travel insurance lapse. The cost of his treatment has already surged past $30,000, and the bills will continue to mount.
His family in Australia has set up a GoFundMe page to try and help pay for his treatment.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.
