A mom of 4 has tragically died after consuming contaminated ice. As reported by People, she was identified as 36-year-old Ayla Garcia of Virginia.
The mom had travelled to Kenya with her church and family to support a home for orphaned kids. There, she had suddenly fallen ill and been hospitalized in the ICU after contracting salmonella.
A fundraiser set up by her family for her medical and funeral costs explained the situation. "Ayla has sickle cell disease, and the salmonella contamination has infected her kidney, liver, and blood."
An update on the fundraiser confirmed her tragic passing. "It is with a heavy heart that we share our beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, niece, friend, Ayla, has passed."
"Her fight against sickle cell was hard fought. As a result of this, our goal has only changed slightly. Aga Kahn University Hospital [in Kenya] requires full payment for medical services rendered for her body to be released to come home."
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The Family is Fighting to Bring Their Mom Home
In an interview with ABC WRIC 8, the Garcia family explained that they were fighting to bring her home following her tragic passing.
So far, the fundraiser has raised over $33,000. "People really dug deep, and they're still digging deep," Tabitha, a family member, explained. The family is now intending to have the mom of 4 cremated in Kenya and brought back to the U.S. in that way.
"We're grateful because everyone's contributed - everyone who can, how little, how much, it all helps. And it's appreciated. Nothing's too small - we believe in prayers, so if a prayer's all that can be given, thank you."
Her mom, Patricia, remembered her as "a kindhearted person... and she was funny. She was just so happy, go-lucky, she liked helping people."
Her friend, Zion Njeri, also posted a touching tribute to the mom online, per People. "Ayla Garcia, I still can't believe you're gone," she wrote. "You were more than a friend you were my sister, my biggest supporter, and one of the greatest blessings God placed in my life."
"You stood by me musically, emotionally, physically, and in so many other ways. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, and reminding me to keep going even when things were hard."
May she rest in peace.
