CORRECTION: According to family, they were denied flight privileges through SA Airways for a flight connecting to transport with Air Canada. It was not Air Canada that denied the family the flight.
UPDATE: While the family was hoping to fly Aurora home on a commercial flight, which would cost about $30,000, they were denied. Mother, Nicole Arnt, says the family was refused access because the airline does not want to take the risk that something may happen with the infant.
Now the only way to get Aurora back to Canada is by Air Ambulance which will cost about $150,000.
The family has collected about $15,000 in donations. If you’d like to help you can by clicking the link below. The family is still looking into other airlines that may fly Aurora.
KELOWNA — A former Okanagan resident is desperately hoping for the public’s help in saving the life of her daughter.
Nicole Arnt gave birth to her baby girl Aurora in South Africa. That’s where Arnt currently lives with her South African husband.
The 3-month-old girl’s small intestine was destroyed due to an artery clot and now Aurora’s only chance of survival is a bowel transplant. The problem is that kind of surgery isn’t done in South Africa.
Arnt is still under BC Medical and the cost of the transplant, if done in Canada, would be covered. Her coverage however, runs out in 8 months.
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The biggest hurdle the family is facing is getting Aurora from the South African hospital she’s been at since birth, to Canada. The little girl would have to be transported via air ambulance or by commercial flight with a medical escort.
The family is looking at options right now but the cost associated with transportation ranges anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000 dollars. Speaking via Skype from South Africa, Arnt says
“Every day that we have is a treasure and we just hope and pray that we can raise the money in time to get her to Toronto to save her life because it would just be such a tragedy to lose her because of money” Nicole Arnt told Global Okanagan via Skype Friday.
So far the family has managed to raise $13,000 dollars. If you would like to help you can donate online at www.gofundme.com/Auroras-Transplant.
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