This past March, while working at a Chinese university, American John Berisford fell critically ill. He remains hospitalized and in a coma. While his medical team has stated he is stable enough for travel, he cannot fly commercially. Thus, he must travel via a very costly air ambulance. His family has started a campaign to raise money to help cover his outstanding hospital bills in China, and to get him home where he can receive long-term care.
This campaign was started to help John Berisford. John’s is a desperate, sad, and unbelievable tale. He was raised a Mountaineer in the “Foothills of West Virginia”. A 1996 graduate of John Marshall High School, John excelled at academics, was a member of many clubs, and active in sports. Probably most importantly, he was a member of the Marshall County and State 4-H programs. As any 4-H’er knows, once a 4-H member, always a 4-H member, even in adulthood. Always a proud Mountaineer, John is a graduate of West Virginia University, but has spent many years teaching “English as a Second Language” (ESL) abroad. His desire to teach has provided opportunities all over the world including New Zealand, Korea, and most recently China. John’s love of life and his quest for knowledge is what drove him to seek out these opportunities.
In early March 2014, John Berisford’s life was forever changed. While in China working for a university, he fell into a coma. He is still in a coma and receiving only basic life support. His doctors are not working to discover the cause of his illness or rehabbing him in anyway. His medical team has stated he is stable enough for travel. However, he cannot fly commercially. His condition warrants that he must travel via air ambulance, which is very costly.
Family, friends and strangers continue to donate and hold fundraisers. Funds are being added at a rate of approximately $2k per month. However, John’s medical bills increase by $3-4k per month. His hospital bill must be paid in full before he will be released. In addition, the cost of air ambulance must also be paid in full ($65k). The Cleveland Clinic has agreed to take John once he is brought back to the states.
Friends and family started the “Everyone Give A Dollar†Campaign in the hopes the funds will be raised quickly. They understand times are tough. However, nearly every soul can spare a dollar. If everyone gave a dollar, John would be able to come home and get the rehabilitation he needs to get better!
Every dollar donated will go toward the medical bills and transport.
The family would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for donating. Every dollar gets us closer to our goal.
Please make checks out to “Bring John Home”.
Donations can be mailed to:
Bring John Home
P.O. Box 249
Glen Dale, WV 26038Donations are also being accepted online:
http://www.gofundme.com/8L2igs
http://igg.me/at/bringjohnhome
More information and updates at the official “Bring John Home” Facebook page.
Has a cause of the ailment been explained? Honestly, it could have been anything… and potential donors should be aware of what led to the initial hospitalization.
According to the donation page: “His doctors are not working to discover the cause of his illness or rehabbing him in anyway.” So it sounds like the family also doesn’t know, or doesn’t know enough.
Why isn’t the US Embassy involved in this issue? It would be comforting to all if they could issue a report, or perhaps have John moved to an International Hospital such as Beijing United Family Hospital in Beijing or their branch in Shanghai, or to the Oasis Hospital In Beijing.
Does the school have any responsibility in this. The news is so sparse, if begs hundreds of questions.
It reminds me of the recent death of the peace Corps volunteer in China who died. Bad diagnosis, bad follow up, poor doctors, no experience.
that hospital in shanghai doesn’t come with in-house beds. i’ve been there. front desk will sign off on us$1500 receipts, per day, without lifting an eyelid…
I’m wondering did/does he have any kind of travel insurance?
his career as an english teacher would deduct there is ‘travel’ insurance in place. travel insurance, in basic form, only lasts for the duration of the initial ticket.
i think this case is lost. even after arrival in the us, this person will depend on others and their goodwill for the rest of his life. what then? more kickstarters?
this amount of money is large enough to live off for 7 years in china. it’s worth considering if a sick expat’s flight home equals 7 year’s of a chinese family’s living costs
People do wake up from comas, especially with proper medical care.
I would like to donate. How can this be done from China?
As asked in previous comments, are there no credible diagnoses?
Have the symptoms or any information gleaned by the local doctors and experts been sent to any critical care hospital in the US or Canada for further evaluation?
he is being released from china he has insurance and too many fundraisers someone stole over $10,000 from one of the accounts and have not been prosecuted yet so be careful where you send the money someone is stealing from them