(Submitted photo)

By Josh Ryan

GoFundMe

Support pours in for family of deceased healthcare worker

Feb 17, 2021 | 3:49 PM

A GoFundMe for the family of a local healthcare worker in North Battleford has raised more than $85,000.

According to the page’s organizers, 34 year-old Tom Thomas passed away Monday in the hospital emergency room from sudden cardiac arrest. Thomas was diagnosed with COVID-19 and according to his friend Don K. Paul, had been isolating at home, prior to feeling pain on Monday.

Paul, who told battlefordsNOW they had been friends since their teens, said it’s a devastating loss, as Thomas leaves behind his wife and their 18-month-old child. The GoFundMe page states Thomas was originally from Ponkunnam, Kerala, India and moved to Canada in 2016, with his wife Merin George joining him in 2018.

“They have no life insurance,” Paul said. “And he has little benefits from work.”

Following the news, Paul said he and others from the local community of friends within the St. Mother Treesa Syro-Malabar Catholic Church (a small informal group in the Battlefords) started a GoFundMe page to support Thomas’ family. As of Feb. 17, the page has raised around $90,000. Paul said the amount of support has been stunning, from Thomas’s coworkers and manager, to the community and beyond.

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“People were very kind,” he said. “I’m glad we were able to do this for his family.”

Andrew McLetchie, vice-president of Integrated Northern Health, and Dr. Stephanie Young, physician executive of Integrated Northern Health, released a joint statement.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority offers its condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of a staff member who died Monday in North Battleford.

The SHA is reaching out to our staff member’s family to offer support. We are also ensuring co-workers and other staff members are aware of mental health supports available through the Saskatchewan Health Authority and our Employee Family Assistance Program.

Out of respect for their family and for patient confidentiality, we are not able to provide any additional details.

As detailed on the GoFundMe page, Thomas’ body was taken to Saskatoon for further investigation, due to the sudden nature of his passing. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalized.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports