Family seeks help bringing home Massachusetts man who fell critically ill in Fiji

A Massachusetts family is raising funds to bring home a man who became critically ill during a trip to Fiji after what began as an insect bite, according to a GoFundMe campaign. Scott “Scooter” Winslow and his wife, Claire, left for Fiji in April, and weeks into the trip he developed an infection linked to a wound that initially appeared to be from an insect bite. With limited access to medical care while the couple was at sea, his condition worsened over about two weeks aboard their boat. By the time they reached land, first responders took him to a hospital where doctors said the infection was critical. The fundraiser states Winslow is in the intensive care unit at Lautoka Hospital in Fiji for septic shock, with kidney failure and spread of the infection to his gallbladder and lungs, later leading to transfer to a private hospital. Because the event occurred abroad, the family lacked insurance coverage and is seeking specialized medical transport home; the campaign has raised just over $24,000 toward a $40,000 goal.