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Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
'He wants to live in this world': Edmonton paramedic's infant son in need of heart transplant
Article content Article content Oliver will be placed on a donor list, but because of his age, they could be waiting for as long as up to two years. Article content Through all of the cardiac arrests, Oliver's heart has been shocked a total of nine times. Article content 'I remember having a talk with my wife, and it hurts me to say, but when one of the arrests happened, they ended up shocking his heart twice, and I remember hearing my wife saying, 'I don't think he's going to make it,' and in the back of my head, I didn't know if he was going to come out of it — but he has,' said Apuada. Article content 'It's been a wild roller-coaster. Just going from the lowest of the lows, and then you see him improve. But throughout all of this, all you have is hope to hold onto.' Article content So many unknowns Article content The Apuadas have been thrown so much information, and faced decisions no parents should ever have to go through. JC admits they probably haven't processed everything they're truly going through right now — but they're staying as strong as they can despite so many unknowns. Article content Article content A GoFundme has been set up to help support the family. Article content 'The Stollery doctors are some of the best in the world. They're experts. But the reality is when those experts are telling us we don't have an answer for you, it's very hard,' said Apuada. Article content 'We're going to proceed with a transplant, and he will get a new heart, but even then, they don't know if his body is going to do the same thing, because right now, they don't have answers.' Article content Apuada said his wife had no issues throughout the pregnancy. Outside of some minor hypertension one week before giving birth that led to her having a C-section, every ultrasound, blood work and other test came back with no concerns when Oliver and his twin sister Eloise were born. Article content They didn't have any complications when their oldest son was born, either. Article content Oliver remains in hospital, and as the Apuadas wait for him to be stabilized enough to go home, they also wait for that call for a new heart. Article content Article content That's crystallized the stark reality of their situation, but also made them feel proud of Oliver, who keeps fighting despite having spent more time in hospital than at home in his young life. Article content 'In order for Oliver to have a new heart, another family somewhere would have to go through a situation way worse than what we've gone through so far and I remember Britni saying that it's hard, because we were so close to being that family, too,' said Apuada. Article content
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Heartbreaking tributes to ‘loving gentle giant' found dead at Scots council headquarters
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTBREAKING tributes have been paid to a "loving" man who was found dead at Edinburgh's council headquarters. He has been named locally as Sean Stephen following his mystery death at the City Chambers on the capital's High Street. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Sean Stephen has been named locally following his death in Edinburgh Credit: GoFundme 2 The 38-year-old was found unresponsive at the City Chambers Credit: Getty Emergency crews raced to the scene at around 9.10am after police received a report of an unresponsive man inside the building's customer support hub. The 38-year-old was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His death is currently being treated as "unexplained" by cops, but it is not believed to be suspicious. A fundraiser has now been set up by one of Sean's close friends, who paid tribute to the "loving gentle giant". He was well-known throughout the southside of Edinburgh, and his friends and family have been left "absolutely devastated". They said Sean had been missing since July 1, with multiple posts shared on social media during a frantic search. The post read: "I'm looking to raise some funds towards Sean's funeral costs. It's to lift a bit of pressure off his wife Julie and family. "Sean went missing on the July 1, 2025 and unfortunately was found dead on July 7. "This was very unexpected as he's only 38 years old and had his full life ahead of him. "He was the most loving gentle giant you'd ever meet. He was born and bred in Southside area of Edinburgh and was well known by a lot of people. Man, 39, dies in hospital after 'major incident' in Scots town as cops lock down street & arrest suspect "I was like a sister to Sean, we are absolutely devastated that he was found dead unexplained. "Any help would be appreciated to give him the best send off he deserves. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." You can donate to the fundraiser here. Edinburgh City Council's website is urging locals to use the city's customer hub as the High Street office is closed this week. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 9.10am on Monday, 7 July, we received a report of an unresponsive person at a premises on High Street, Edinburgh. "Emergency services attended and a man was pronounced dead at the scene. "The death is being treated as unexplained but not believed to be suspicious and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Brit dad, 30, tragically dies on ‘lifelong' dream Thai boxing trip just days before birth of his second child
His wife is now raising two young children alone and faces 'unimaginable pain' at the loss of her husband BOXER TRAGEDY Brit dad, 30, tragically dies on 'lifelong' dream Thai boxing trip just days before birth of his second child Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH dad has tragically died alone in Thailand while chasing his dream of becoming a Thai boxer. Ryan O'Connor, 30, passed away just days before his wife gave birth to their second child back home in the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Brit dad Ryan O'Connor tragically died on his 'lifelong' dream Thai boxing trip just days before the birth of his second child Credit: GoFundme 3 His grieving wife, Joanne, is now raising two young children alone Credit: GoFundme 3 Ryan pictured with his brother Liam Credit: Facebook The beloved husband, dad, and well-known member of the Rossendale community died on June 28 after falling seriously ill at a Thai boxing academy. The dad-of-two had flown out to Thailand on May 29, determined to tick off a lifelong goal before becoming a dad for the second time. Ryan's brother Liam said: 'He just wanted to do it before he had two children. 'He thought he couldn't go out there before having two children. Read more world news HOLS HORROR Brit dies after collapsing at popular resort on hols hotspot island 'It was his last chance to go and do something that he's always wanted to do.' But the dream turned to tragedy just weeks later when Ryan became suddenly unwell, bedridden with severe diarrhoea and what his family suspects was a serious infection. He managed a video call to his parents on June 26, describing his symptoms - prompting his dad to contact Ryan's hotel to ask for urgent medical help. By the time emergency workers arrived, Ryan had collapsed on the bathroom floor and gone into cardiac arrest. Medics managed to restart his heart after 15 harrowing minutes and placed him on life support. But his condition worsened rapidly. He slipped into septic shock, his kidneys began to fail, and he passed away the next morning - just days before what would have been his 31st birthday. Brit, 22, rushed to hospital after 'falling off boat in Magaluf & getting caught in propeller after drinking with pals' Back home in the UK, Ryan's wife Joanne, a local maths teacher, welcomed their baby girl Maya Jasmine O'Connor Sunday morning —surrounded by loved ones but shattered by the loss of her husband. She is now facing a future raising early-three-year-old Riley and newborn Maya alone. In a heartfelt plea on the GoFundMe page set to support the grieving family, Liam wrote: '(Joanne) now faces the unimaginable pain of preparing to bring new life into the world whilst coping with the uncertainty of their future and the devastating knowledge that their new daughter will never meet her father. 'Riley, the first child who is nearly three, will not see her father again.' 'We are raising this money to help Joanne and her family manage the unknown costs ahead, including support for her two young children, keeping their roof over their head's, medical expenses, possible repatriation for Ryan and other costs associated with raising two young children alone, one of whom is due to arrive any day now.' He added: 'If you knew Ryan, you would know he was a great dad and husband. It was his last chance to go and do something that he's always wanted to do Liam O'Connor 'His strength, humour, and warmth have touched so many people. 'Now it's our turn to rally around him and his family during their darkest hour.' The GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than £42,000 towards its £50,000 goal, with almost 1,000 donations pouring in. In an update, Liam wrote: 'Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. 'In less than one week, we hit our £40k goal! 'Ryan was deeply loved, and this outpouring of support is a true reflection of the impact he had on so many lives.'
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Brit dad, 30, tragically dies on ‘lifelong' dream Thai boxing trip just days before birth of his second child
A BRITISH dad has tragically died alone in Thailand while chasing his dream of becoming a Thai boxer. Ryan O'Connor, 30, passed away just days before his wife gave birth to their second child back home in the UK. Advertisement 3 Brit dad Ryan O'Connor tragically died on his 'lifelong' dream Thai boxing trip just days before the birth of his second child Credit: GoFundme 3 His grieving wife, Joanne, is now raising two young children alone Credit: GoFundme 3 Ryan pictured with his brother Liam Credit: Facebook The beloved husband, dad, and well-known member of the Rossendale community died on June 28 after falling seriously ill at a Thai boxing academy. The dad-of-two had flown out to Thailand on May 29, determined to tick off a lifelong goal before becoming a dad for the second time. Ryan's brother Liam said: 'He just wanted to do it before he had two children. 'He thought he couldn't go out there before having two children. Advertisement Read more world news 'It was his last chance to go and do something that he's always wanted to do.' But the dream turned to tragedy just weeks later when Ryan became suddenly unwell, bedridden with severe diarrhoea and what his family suspects was a serious infection. He managed a video call to his parents on June 26, describing his symptoms - prompting his dad to contact Ryan's hotel to ask for urgent medical help. By the time emergency workers arrived, Ryan had collapsed on the bathroom floor and gone into cardiac arrest. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Medics managed to restart his heart after 15 harrowing minutes and placed him on life support. But his condition worsened rapidly. He slipped into septic shock, his kidneys began to fail, and he passed away the next morning - just days before what would have been his 31st birthday. Brit, 22, rushed to hospital after 'falling off boat in Magaluf & getting caught in propeller after drinking with pals' Back home in the UK, Ryan's wife Joanne, a local maths teacher, welcomed their baby girl Maya Jasmine O'Connor Sunday morning —surrounded by loved ones but shattered by the loss of her husband. She is now facing a future raising early-three-year-old Riley and newborn Maya alone. Advertisement In a 'Riley, the first child who is nearly three, will not see her father again.' 'We are raising this money to help Joanne and her family manage the unknown costs ahead, including support for her two young children, keeping their roof over their head's, medical expenses, possible repatriation for Ryan and other costs associated with raising two young children alone, one of whom is due to arrive any day now.' He added: 'If you knew Ryan, you would know he was a great dad and husband. Advertisement It was his last chance to go and do something that he's always wanted to do Liam O'Connor Ryan's brother 'His strength, humour, and warmth have touched so many people. 'Now it's our turn to rally around him and his family during their darkest hour.' The GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than £42,000 towards its £50,000 goal, with almost 1,000 donations pouring in. In an update, Liam wrote: 'Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. Advertisement 'In less than one week, we hit our £40k goal! 'Ryan was deeply loved, and this outpouring of support is a true reflection of the impact he had on so many lives.'
Axios
05-07-2025
- General
- Axios
What we know about the Texas flooding victims
Efforts to find more than 25 girls missing from Camp Mystic after flash floods hit Central Texas early Friday morning continue, but four bodies — and dozens more from other parts of the region — have already been recovered. Here's what we know about the victims of the flooding near Kerrville, Texas: Renee Smajstrla The young girl has been identified by her uncle as one of the Camp Mystic attendees who went missing and whose body has since been recovered. "We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic," Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook. Sarah Marsh The 8-year-old Mountain Brook, Alabama, girl was a camper whose body has been found, per the city's mayor. "This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school, and our entire community. Sarah's passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her, " Mayor Stewart Welch wrote in a Facebook post. Janie Hunt The girl's family confirmed to NBC5 reporter Keenan Willard that she had died in the floods while at Camp Mystic. Lila Bonner Bonner's family also confirmed the girl had died. "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time. We ache with all who loved her," the girl's family said in a statement to NBC5. Other people who were camping or lived near Guadalupe River, which surged to roughly 26 feet within 45 minutes, also were victims. They include: Jane Ragsdale The beloved co-owner and director of Heart O' the Hills camp was killed in floods, according to a statement posted on the camp's website. "We at the camp are stunned and deeply saddened by Jane's death. She embodied the spirit of Heart O' the Hills and was exactly the type of strong, joyful woman that the camp aimed to develop with the girls entrusted to us each summer." The girls' camp opened in 1953. There were no campers at the time of the floods. Julian Ryan Ryan, 27,"died a hero," his family told KHOU in Houston. Ryan's fiancée told the station water quickly entered their home near the Guadalupe River. Ryan punched out a window to get his family out, she said, but he was ultimately unable to make it out. "Julian was a cherished son and devoted parent and fiancé who was dedicated to his family. He was known to have an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness," according to a GoFundme account raising money for his family. "He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."
