A father from Colorado found himself stranded in Copenhagen, Denmark, after contracting a dangerous virus while on a cruise with his wife to celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary. Guy Matlock fell ill only six days into their trip to Europe in September, their first journey outside the US together. While Guy became seriously ill, his wife, Adrien, and their friends, Kim and George, remained unaffected.
Guy experienced symptoms of Influenza type A, sepsis, and pneumonia, which eventually led to a super virus attacking his major organs, causing cardiac arrest and prolonged lung failure. According to their daughter Moriah, the cruise ship quickly docked once Guy’s health deteriorated. He is currently receiving treatment in a Copenhagen hospital, dependent on a ventilator and battling brain damage.
In an effort to bring Guy home once he is stable enough to travel, the Matlock family launched a GoFundMe page with a fundraising goal of $150,000. Despite various complications, including mini strokes in his parietal lobes affecting his waking rate, Guy’s heart and lungs have shown signs of improvement, with reduced reliance on a ventilator and dialysis.
Emergency medical evacuation from Europe typically costs between $65,000 to $90,000, but the specific “medevac flight home” Guy requires is estimated to exceed $150,000, with insurance covering only a fraction of the cost. As of now, the fundraising page has garnered over $47,000 from 730 donors. While Adrien remains by Guy’s side in Copenhagen, their children had to return home after using emergency passports to visit their father.
Describing the challenges faced in a foreign country with a different language and societal norms, Moriah expressed the difficulties Guy is encountering in Denmark. She emphasised the emotional toll of witnessing a loved one in a vulnerable state, unable to do basic functions independently. The Matlock family is determined to reunite Guy and Adrien, highlighting the urgency of their situation and the need for continued support from well-wishers.