THE heartbroken family of a desperately ill Irish man are appealing for funds to bring him home from Canada.
Ciaran Kelly from Bray, Co. Wicklow suffered a cardiac arrest while celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Vancouver.
Due to oxygen deprivation brought on by the heart attack, Ciaran is now on life-support after suffering severe brain damage.
After hearing the news Ciaran’s family flew straight out to Vancouver, where he has been living for the last few years.
It is costing $15,000 a day just to keep Ciaran in hospital as he fights for his life.
The family is looking for €100,000 to bring Ciaran back to Ireland so he can continue his recovery at home.
A total of €40,000 has been raised to date.
One of Ciaran’s relatives, Emma, has now set up a GoFundMe page in order to raise enough funds to pay the medical bills and bring Ciaran home.
The family said: "On the 17th of March our whole life was turned upside down, we received the devastating news that our son Ciaran, aged 32, currently living in Vancouver, Canada suffered a cardiac arrest and as a result of this his brain was deprived of oxygen.
“Hours later we took a flight to Vancouver to be by Ciaran's bedside. Upon arrival we were told the devastating news that Ciaran was critically ill on life support with severe brain damage.
“As a family, our main concern is to get Ciaran home to Ireland so we can provide him with the care and support he so desperately requires.”
They added: “As you can imagine, the stress and worry of what is happening is unbearable for us and feels so terribly cruel.”
The statement from the Kelly family also said: “We cannot express the urgency of this situation at this horrendous time.
"From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for any donation you can contribute as it will bring us one step closer to bringing Ciaran home.”
