Ads by Google Ads by Google

Patient in “critical condition needs “two seats” on tonight’s flight

HAL fully booked to Honolulu
fili@samoanews.com

The family of a patient in “critical condition” at LBJ Medical Center will compensate anyone willing to give up two seats on tonight’s Hawaiian Airlines flight to Honolulu, to allow the patient and her mother to travel to the Aloha State.

“She’s in critical condition and needs immediate medical treatment in Honolulu, as soon as possible,” said the patient’s mother Afega Taylor in a brief phone interview early yesterday afternoon. “It's hard for a mother, any mother in this type of situation, to just sit and wait when I have a child - even a child who is 20 years old, who urgently needs medical treatment.”

Mrs. Taylor and her daughter — whose name Samoa News is withholding based on a request from the family — are traveling under the LBJ Medical Center's Off Island Medical Referral Program, and the hospital has been working with Hawaiian Airlines to secure two seats on tonight’s flight, which is fully booked.

Contacted yesterday afternoon, the local Hawaiian Air office said the next available flight out of Pago Pago is on May 19th.

Samoa News learned of the Taylor family’s urgent plea, through a string of email messages yesterday morning amongst employees of the Commerce Department, where the patient works.

“We are seeking help in any way/form/shape to get one of our co-workers, who is in critical condition at the LBJ on [tonight’s] flight,” said a message from one DOC employee. “The family is willing to compensate for two seats on this fully booked flight.”

Another DOC employee wrote, “The Taylor family is now trying to get her on the Friday flight, but it's fully booked and they need two seats. They are willing to compensate the individuals that give up their seats for the trouble.”

“Please share the news with your family and friends if they can save a life, and she needs our constant prayers,” the message said.

DOC director Keniseli Lafaele has also been made aware of the situation and in an email  message to DOC employees said, “I want to take this time to thank all for your monetary donations and prayers for our colleague. Please remember her in our prayers.”

The plea for anyone to give up two seats on Hawaiian’s flight went out Wednesday night on Facebook by a family member saying, “Please friends and family, we are humbly asking if you know anyone leaving this Friday or Monday? If they can give up their 2 seats.”

“So please, we are looking for a Good Samaritan fa’amolemole. They will pay you for giving up your seat,” according to the Facebook posting, which by 12 noon yesterday had already been shared 110 times.

To help please contact Mrs. Taylor at 258-5499