The family of an former JCG student who has spent the last four months in intensive care following an aggressive infection has been “staggered” by the response to a fundraising page set up to support her to “rebuild her life”.
In January this year, Cardiff University medical student Lily McGarry was rushed to hospital with flu-like symptoms, which rapidly worsened into septic shock.
The 23-year-old was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, a severe and aggressive infection.
Despite suffering two cardiac arrests, Lily fought for her life – but the infection caused severe blood flow issues, and Lily is now a quadruple amputee as a result.
This week, her family launched a fundraising page to go towards the purchase of prosthetics Lily will need to gain back her independence.
It raised over £120,000 in the first 24 hours.
Lily’s mum, Joanne Gorrod, told Express the level of support “had been fantastic”.
Getting to grips with life as an amputee will be a long process for Lily and her family as they begin to plan her future with prosthetic limbs.
Ms Gorrod said: “Lily will need some kind of assistance for the rest of her life.
“It’s now our role to help her become independent again.”
Speaking about the sudden nature of Lily’s condition, her mum said it “came out of the blue” and started with flu-like symptoms.
It was the quick actions of Lily’s medical student housemates who spotted signs of the illness early on and consequently saved her life.
On noticing early signs of the illness, her friends closely monitored Lily and made the decision to drive her to hospital.
“We’re forever grateful for that,” her mum said. “We still have the gift of Lily with us.”
Prior to her hospitalisation, Lily was an avid sports lover and had many connections with local clubs in Jersey.
“Lily was a very fit, healthy young woman and doing incredibly well,” said Ms Gorrod.
Lily’s dad, Stuart McGarry, separately described the situation as “heartbreaking”.
He said that family and friends flew in from all corners of the world to be with her when she became unwell.
Now in a stable condition in Swansea’s Morriston Hospital, Lily and her family can begin to plan for her future.
Praising the hospital staff for the care of her daughter, Ms Gorrod said they “bend over backwards” for Lily.
“There’s a lot of love in the room,” she added.
The next goal for Lily is for her to slowly transition out of intensive care and build up strength, which will likely take many months, her mum said.
But both of her parents emphasised that Lily’s determination gives them all hope.
“A lot of adaptations will be needed,” said Ms Gorrod.
“She will probably spend quite a bit of her time in a wheelchair as well as prosthetics.
“We will have to adapt her car, her living space. There’s a huge amount to plan for her.”
Lily also wants to resume her studies with Cardiff University, where she was in her second year of study to become a doctor, when she can.
Having met their fundraising goal in a day, the family have increased their target to £250,000, which will go towards funding physiotherapy for Lily and buying specialist prosthetics – which can cost in the region of £100,000 each.
Any extra funds raised through the campaign will go to UK amputee charity ‘Limb Power’ that supports individuals and families affected by limb loss.
Mr McGarry said: “It quite gets me emotional to think about how everyone’s responded.
“We’d expected a big response, but it’s gone into overdrive.”
DONATE…
You can “help Lily rebuild her life” by donating to her online fundraising page.
Lily’s family have asked the public to avoid contacting her directly while she remains in a vulnerable position.