Little Maverick Corin was born in Turkey in September to Travel Counsellor Adam Corin, who is British, and his wife Eda, who is Turkish. The family live in Istanbul and Maverick holds a British passport, Corin told TTG.
It emerged when Maverick was just a few weeks old that he had problems with his heart, and in just the past few days, his parents were given the devastating news his only option now is an urgent heart transplant.
Corin explained that there are no infant donors in Turkey, so the family are desperately trying to get Maverick to the UK for the procedure. He said that while the embassy in Turkey can help with an emergency medical passport, securing a hospital place in the UK was proving a challenge.
Travel colleagues from across the country rallied with force overnight to support the family on social media, as they were struggling to secure Maverick's advised transfer to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children to be stabilised, before then travelling to another major UK hospital for surgery. One of Corin's posts on his Facebook page has been shared more than 2,000 times.
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children has now confirmed to TTG that it will accept Maverick, if he can safely travel.
Professor Tim Whittlestone, chief medical and innovation officer, Bristol NHS Group said: “Following an urgent review by a senior multi-disciplinary team, we have agreed to accept Maverick as a patient at UHBW. If he is able to travel safely, our teams will do everything they can to ensure he receives the best possible care. As at all times throughout this process, our thoughts are firmly with Maverick and his family.
“We understand the public interest in this case, but we must respect patient confidentiality and therefore cannot share any additional details or comment further.”
Corin took to Facebook yesterday (22 January) to provide an update, thanking those following the story.
“I feel that this post worked, we had calls from other NHS hospitals saying they will accept. Bristol just called and said they can now accept Mav, so we are so so happy... I owe you all so much,” he said.
Travel industry's 'collective might'
Among those sharing the family's story and lobbying the powers that be were countless travel industry professionals – including multiple Travel Counsellors.
One Travel Counsellor colleague wrote on Facebook: “Come on wee man we are all routing for you and have your mum and dad in our prayers. Just goes to show what the collective might the travel industry can do.”
Another added: “Just goes to show what the collective might of a huge industry can do. I am proud to work in travel today.”
“The power of social media… we hit the press and the red tape is sorted!,” chimed a third Travel Counsellor.
