A Holbrook, Massachusetts, man is fighting for his life in Fiji after a bug bite he sustained during a sailing trip around the South Pacific led to septic shock and a rapid decline in his health. Scott Winslow, 68, and his wife, Claire Winslow, began their "dream" voyage in April, but just weeks into their journey, Scott noticed what appeared to be an insect bite.
Upon reaching shore in Fiji, Winslow was too weak to disembark on his own. Emergency personnel transported him to a local hospital, where doctors discovered he was in septic shock. The infection has since spread to his gallbladder and lungs, and his kidneys are functioning at only a fraction of their normal capacity. His daughter, Lisa Babbin, has stated that his wife was advised to "prepare for the worst" as his condition continued to deteriorate.
Winslow has been placed on a ventilator and diagnosed with pneumonia. He also requires dialysis, but the Fijian hospital has only one machine. Babbin expressed concern over the limited resources, noting that her father has been on the ventilator for 11 days and faces limited antibiotic options.
The family has secured a bed for Winslow at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts. However, arranging a specialized medical flight to transport him could cost as much as $250,000. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the medivac and has also applied for an emergency U.S. government loan for the evacuation, though they have not yet received approval.
Adding to the financial strain, the Winslows do not have medical insurance coverage in Fiji, leading to rapidly accumulating medical expenses. The family has described Scott Winslow as a hardworking family man who previously worked more than 80-hour weeks as a contractor before his retirement. As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised over $20,000.