Braintree Man Hospitalized in India to Return Home on Medical Flight

Community donations cover the cost of special air ambulance transport.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:48pm

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Andrew Wasil, a 39-year-old man from Braintree, Massachusetts, has been hospitalized in India since February after contracting a severe infection while attending his brother's wedding. Wasil's condition quickly deteriorated, leading to septic shock, organ failure, and the amputation of both his legs below the knees. After nearly eight weeks, Wasil's family has raised over $190,000 through community donations to cover the cost of a special medical transport flight to bring him home to Boston for continued care and recovery.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of community support and crowdfunding in helping individuals access critical medical care, especially when faced with unexpected health crises and exorbitant costs while traveling abroad. It also underscores the challenges that can arise from sudden, life-threatening illnesses that require specialized treatment and transportation.

The details

Andrew Wasil was in India celebrating his brother's wedding as the best man when he contracted a severe strep infection. Within 24 hours, Wasil's condition worsened, and he was rushed to a hospital in Mumbai, where he was placed on a ventilator. The infection led to septic shock, organ failure, and the amputation of both of Wasil's legs below the knees due to lack of oxygen. After nearly eight weeks of hospitalization, Wasil's family has raised over $190,000 through community donations to cover the cost of a special medical transport flight to bring him home to Boston for continued care and recovery.

  • Wasil was hospitalized in India in February 2026.
  • Wasil is set to return home to Boston this weekend.

The players

Andrew Wasil

A 39-year-old man from Braintree, Massachusetts who has been hospitalized in India since February 2026 after contracting a severe infection while attending his brother's wedding.

Suzanne Wasil

Andrew Wasil's mother, who has been coordinating his medical care and transportation back to Boston.

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What they’re saying

“Within 24 hours he went from having fun at the wedding to being on a ventilator.”

— Suzanne Wasil, Andrew Wasil's mother

“That just touches our family. We have no words except thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

— Suzanne Wasil, Andrew Wasil's mother

What’s next

Andrew Wasil is set to board the medical transport flight on Saturday and return home to Boston on Sunday.

The takeaway

This story underscores the power of community support and crowdfunding in helping individuals access critical medical care, especially when faced with unexpected health crises and exorbitant costs while traveling abroad. It also highlights the challenges that can arise from sudden, life-threatening illnesses that require specialized treatment and transportation.