Aussie mum is left fighting for life in an overseas hospital - as her family make a desperate plea

An Aussie mum living with a debilitating condition is fighting for life in a US hospital following a bout of pneumonia. 

Gina Wherrett, 62, who was told she has motor neurone disease (MND) in September 2022, was put into into the intensive care unit last week after she became sick. 

The 62-year-old woman from Melbourne, along with her husband Matt, flew to the Healey Centre for ALS, at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, United States, in October in a bid to get Ms Wherrett life-saving treatment. 

She however, suddenly became ill one morning after she developed pneumonia and she was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Mr Wherrett said the devastating illness turned their world upside down and said he wanted to do everything that he could to help his wife fight the disease. 

'On the day of her diagnosis we went home and we cried, and I promised her we'd be joined at the hip,' Mr Wherrett told news.com.au

'I made a commitment to her that I will do whatever it takes and whatever I can do … I look into her eyes and I don't want this to be about dollars and cents but that's what it could come down to.' 

Ms Wherrett's medical costs are now soaring as the family desperately appeals for much needed help to fund her medical bills. 

Her son Sam, who is by her bedside alongside his brother Marcus, set up a GoFundMe on Wednesday with the family aiming to raise $200,000 to cover her treatment. 

'All of these events have evolved very quickly over the last couple of days,' Sam wrote. 

'We are still waiting on a quote for medical transport, but it could be in the realm of $200,000.'

Some $10,000 has been raised so far.  

'It also hasn’t been decided whether mum will receive surgery in the US or back home. If it happens in the US, it could cost another $200,000.' 

Mr Wherrett said the family is already facing around $200,000 in medical bills to cover his wife's ongoing care and she requires a tracheotomy - to be connected to a  ventilator to help her breathe. 

On top of the cost of the surgery which will set the family back $305,000, they also face costs of around $15,000 a day based on the medical care Ms Wherett needs.

Urgent medical repatriation flights to fly Ms Wherett back home will also cost up to $460,000. 

A heartbroken Mr Wherrett said the couple who have been together for 44 years said they had a 'beautiful relationship' and that he would 'do anything to keep her alive'.

Motor neurone disease occurs when nerves in the body slowly die which then begins to weaken the strength of the muscles. 

The disease can lead to paralysis causing death with most people expected to survive for up to three years after being diagnosed with the disease. 

There is no cure however doctors provide treatment through devices along with medication to help patients with their symptoms. 

Almost 800 people died from MND across Australia in 2021 and two people are diagnosed with the condition across the country each day.