‘Critically Ill’ Colorado Dad Hospitalized, Stranded Overseas After Catching ‘Super Virus’ on Cruise

Mar. 15, 2025

Guy Matlock and Adrian Matlock.Photo:Gofundme.com

Gofundme.com

A Colorado dad is stranded in an overseas hospital after catching a “super virus” on a cruise — and now his family is trying to get him back home.Guy Matlock, 64, remains hospitalized on a ventilator in Copenhagen, Denmark after contracting “the flu, [which] rapidly turned into something else,” his daughter, Moriah, toldKDVA.Guy and his wife, Adrian, left for a two-week cruise on September 14 for their 37th wedding anniversary. Six days into the trip, Guy became “critically ill.” After the boat pulled into port, “They found that he hadflu A,pneumoniaandsepsis,” she told the outlet, adding that the flu “essentially turned into a super virus within his body and started attacking his major organs.”Per theMayo Clinic, sepsis is “a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly. Sepsis may progress toseptic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death.”Stock image of a cruise ship.Getty ImagesFor Guy, sepsis “caused great havoc in his body,” Moriah explained in aGoFundMeset up to help transport her father home to the states.“His lungs, heart, and kidneys were the first organs to fail him. His heart has begun to recover from full cardiac arrest, his lungs have become stronger, the ventilator is only at 25%, and dialysis has been reduced to an intermittent need.”“The infection has caused mini strokes in his parietal lobes that are affecting the rate at which he can awake. As his body gains its strength there will be a long road to recovery,” she shared.And his recovery, Moriah writes, relies on Guy being able to go home.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.As she explains in the GoFundMe, “The doctors in Denmark have done a remarkable job to get Guy where he is now. The doctors are now recommending he come home where his brain can heal and have better stimulation with the English language.”“The [doctors] do speak English, but their first language which is spoken to each other is Danish,” she said.The problem is the cost: “The medevac flight home (only travel option due to [his] condition) is over $150,000, the main insurance will cover $4,000 and traveler’s insurance will cover $20,000. Before a flight can be booked this payment is needed up-front.”“Guy Matlock is one of the most selfless individuals you can be so blessed to know. He is always there at a moment’s notice to help his children, family, neighbors, and friends,” she wrote, adding, “Please do not hesitate to offer advice or resources on how to get Guy home.”

A Colorado dad is stranded in an overseas hospital after catching a “super virus” on a cruise — and now his family is trying to get him back home.

Guy Matlock, 64, remains hospitalized on a ventilator in Copenhagen, Denmark after contracting “the flu, [which] rapidly turned into something else,” his daughter, Moriah, toldKDVA.

Guy and his wife, Adrian, left for a two-week cruise on September 14 for their 37th wedding anniversary. Six days into the trip, Guy became “critically ill.” After the boat pulled into port, “They found that he hadflu A,pneumoniaandsepsis,” she told the outlet, adding that the flu “essentially turned into a super virus within his body and started attacking his major organs.”

Per theMayo Clinic, sepsis is “a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly. Sepsis may progress toseptic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death.”

Stock image of a cruise ship.Getty Images

Getty Images

For Guy, sepsis “caused great havoc in his body,” Moriah explained in aGoFundMeset up to help transport her father home to the states.

“His lungs, heart, and kidneys were the first organs to fail him. His heart has begun to recover from full cardiac arrest, his lungs have become stronger, the ventilator is only at 25%, and dialysis has been reduced to an intermittent need.”

“The infection has caused mini strokes in his parietal lobes that are affecting the rate at which he can awake. As his body gains its strength there will be a long road to recovery,” she shared.

And his recovery, Moriah writes, relies on Guy being able to go home.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As she explains in the GoFundMe, “The doctors in Denmark have done a remarkable job to get Guy where he is now. The doctors are now recommending he come home where his brain can heal and have better stimulation with the English language.”

“The [doctors] do speak English, but their first language which is spoken to each other is Danish,” she said.

The problem is the cost: “The medevac flight home (only travel option due to [his] condition) is over $150,000, the main insurance will cover $4,000 and traveler’s insurance will cover $20,000. Before a flight can be booked this payment is needed up-front.”

“Guy Matlock is one of the most selfless individuals you can be so blessed to know. He is always there at a moment’s notice to help his children, family, neighbors, and friends,” she wrote, adding, “Please do not hesitate to offer advice or resources on how to get Guy home.”

source: people.com