Ayla Garcia, a mother of four from Richmond, Virginia, died in a Nairobi hospital after contracting a severe salmonella infection during a church mission trip to Kenya.
Garcia arrived in Kenya on June 30 with her church group and family to assist a local orphanage. Shortly after arrival, her health rapidly declined, leading to hospitalization for nearly two weeks.
Complications from Infection
Garcia, who lived with sickle cell disease, was particularly vulnerable to the bacterial infection. The salmonella spread beyond her digestive system, affecting her kidneys, liver, and bloodstream. She underwent multiple blood transfusions, dialysis, and developed jaundice as her organs struggled to cope.
Challenges in Medical Evacuation
Due to the severity of her condition, commercial airlines denied her clearance to fly back to the United States. The family sought a medical evacuation flight but faced difficulties with insurance claims and logistical delays caused by international regulations and time differences.
Patricia Garcia, Ayla's mother, recalled the distressing moment when Ayla was moved to intensive care, highlighting the rapid deterioration of her health.
Fundraising Efforts for Repatriation
The family launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover hospital bills and the cost of repatriating Ayla's body. As of now, they have raised $31,300 but still require approximately $9,000 to settle the hospital's full payment and secure the release of her remains from Aga Khan University Hospital.
"Our goal remains to bring her home where we can properly lay her to rest," the family stated, expressing gratitude for ongoing support during this difficult time.
