Caroline Hope begs govt to bring her home from Turkey

Caroline Hope begs govt to bring her home from Turkey

A Scottish woman who was 'stranded' in a Turkish hospital battling cancer and E. Coli is the subject of a huge crowdfunding campaign to get her home.

Caroline Hope, 37, from Glasgow, has been living in Turkey for four years and recently underwent life-saving surgery and chemotherapy for stage 4 colon cancer.

But now she is fighting for her life after contracting a deadly infection due to complications from the surgery. 

A JustGiving page was set up by friend Bella Shek just two days ago and has raised nearly £30,000 in two days - smashing its £29,000 target - amid fears Caroline would die thousands of miles away from home.

Caroline Hope, 37, has been living in Turkey for four years but now she is fighting for her life after contracting a deadly infection due to complications from cancer surgery

In January this year, Caroline returned to Turkey from a holiday in South Africa when she began feeling unwell.

Short of breath, at first she was worried she may have developed Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) after her flight. 

Unfortunately, the diagnosis was much worse. After tests, the doctor informed her she had suffered a pulmonary embolism caused by stage-four cancer in her colon which had spread throughout her body.

Caroline started chemotherapy immediately in the hope of fighting the aggressive cancer.

Initially she responded very well, and a few weeks ago after finishing her cycle of chemo, doctors in Turk ey told her she was very close to being cured.

Caroline before falling ill. In January this year, the English teacher returned to Turkey from a holiday in South Africa when she began feeling unwell - leading to her devastating diagnosis

A JustGiving page was set up by friend Bella Shek (pictured) just two days ago and has raised nearly £30,000 in just two days - smashing its £29,000 target.

Things worsened, however, when Caroline picked up a dangerous e-coli infection from an operation to remove a tumour from her liver. 

When surgeons operated to again to flush out the infection, Caroline says her bowel was perforated, again putting her life in danger.

Caroline remains at the Medical Park Hospital in Izmir, extremely weak from all the treatment and surgery. She is desperate to return home to receive care from the NHS in her hometown in Glasgow. 

She previously worked as an English teacher at an international school, but their insurance is due to expire at the end of July - meaning it will no longer cover her medical costs. 

To travel home in Caroline's current condition is extremely expensive; insurance, emergency flights and other costs are expected to add up to at least £29,000.

Caroline remains at the Medical Park Hospital in Izmir (pictured), extremely weak from all the treatment and surgery. She is desperate to return home to receive care from the NHS

Race against time: Caroline previously worked at an international school, but their insurance is due to expire at the end of July - meaning it will no longer cover her medical costs

To travel home in Caroline's current condition is extremely expensive; insurance, emergency flights and other costs are expected to add up to at least £29,000

But thanks to Bella's JustGiving page and the generosity of over 1,000 donors, the amount needed has been raised in just two days.

The page was shared thousands of times on Facebook and was one of Just Giving's highest traffic pages for the last month.

Bella, who has known Caroline for 25 years and set up the page, said: 'It's been an extremely tough time for Caroline.

'She's alone in a strange country, needing blood transfusions, stuck in hospital and prone to infection. 

Friend for life: Bella (far left) who has known Caroline (centre) for 25 years and set up the page, said: 'It's been an extremely tough time for Caroline. She's alone in a strange country, needing blood transfusions, stuck in hospital and prone to infection'

'She's struggling to walk, eat or talk and has to communicate to the doctors through translators. She is confused and terribly homesick.'

Bella added: 'I'm amazed at the response received on the Just Giving page. Caroline and her family are so grateful for all the generous donations. 

'We now have a good chance of getting Caroline home safely so she can get the care she needs.'

At the time of writing Caroline's JustGiving page has reached £29,282 of its original £29,000 target.

A FCO spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We have o ffered advice to the family of a British woman who is in hospital in Turkey. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.'

To support the appeal, please visit: JustGiving.com 

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